Definition of beautifulnext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective beautiful differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of beautiful are comely, fair, handsome, lovely, and pretty. While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses.

beautiful mountain scenery

How are the words comely and handsome related as synonyms of beautiful?

Comely is like handsome in suggesting what is coolly approved rather than emotionally responded to.

the comely grace of a dancer

When can fair be used instead of beautiful?

The words fair and beautiful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fair suggests beauty because of purity, flawlessness, or freshness.

fair of face

When could handsome be used to replace beautiful?

While in some cases nearly identical to beautiful, handsome suggests aesthetic pleasure due to proportion, symmetry, or elegance.

a handsome Georgian mansion

How do lovely and beautiful relate to one another?

Lovely is close to beautiful but applies to a narrower range of emotional excitation in suggesting the graceful, delicate, or exquisite.

a lovely melody

In what contexts can pretty take the place of beautiful?

The words pretty and beautiful can be used in similar contexts, but pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness.

a painter of conventionally pretty scenes

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of beautiful Set within the Benedictine Abbey of Weltenburg, which sits just above a bend in the Danube River, the grounds include a beer garden that’s breathtakingly beautiful but pours only one of the brewery’s three alcohol‑free varieties. David Dickstein, Oc Register, 10 June 2026 The verbena is known for its beautiful flowers, which are often striking during the spring and summer. Kate Nateras, Architectural Digest, 10 June 2026 Meanwhile, Nike made good use of Canada’s national symbol, splashing a duo-tone maple leaf across a beautiful bright red home kit. Gabriel Sama, Mercury News, 10 June 2026 That little moment — and Carley was genuinely in it — was so beautiful. Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for beautiful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beautiful
Adjective
  • Accessibility The Dominick is a dog-friendly property– where pups under 25 pounds are allowed for a lovely stay (for a $250 pet fee).
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 June 2026
  • The crochet eyelet design gives this set an expensive feel, and the skirt hits at a lovely spot between midi and maxi.
    Annie Blackman, InStyle, 10 June 2026
Adjective
  • Cutting a ribbon, celebrating this wonderful binational relationship, and the wonderful Gordie Howe Bridge that is the new crossing linking Windsor and Detroit.
    Paula Wethington, CBS News, 9 June 2026
  • However, while this plant is wonderful for home gardens and dinner tables, not all plants will work well as its neighbor.
    Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 9 June 2026
Adjective
  • Carmen Electra wears a gorgeous sheer black dress to the premiere of Scary Movie 6 on June 3 in Los Angeles.
    People Staff, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
  • Tomatoes from Plant City are gorgeous, deep and dark.
    Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2026
Adjective
  • Marquinhos — Brazil/PSG The grizzled leader of PSG’s excellent defence occupies a similar role for Brazil, and his partnership with Gabriel will be the foundation for any deep World Cup run.
    Liam Twomey, New York Times, 11 June 2026
  • Watts got another excellent chance in the waning seconds, but the Patriots defense forced the shot to go wide.
    Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 11 June 2026
Adjective
  • Keep scrolling to start the season strong with ’90s-but-better jelly mules, cute lightweight dresses, and a sling bag that’s about to become your water bottle’s new best friend.
    Annie Blackman, InStyle, 6 June 2026
  • Bonus points for picking separates in the same color palette (red and white is a particularly cute, preppy combo, as shown above).
    Kelsey Stewart, Glamour, 6 June 2026
Adjective
  • Having a product [like the serum] cover five steps in one is so awesome.
    Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 4 June 2026
  • His latest victory is some awesome YouTube content.
    David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
Adjective
  • The European film commissioners tried to steer them away from casting a handsome actor as the lead in The Man Who Sold His Skin, Cheikhrouha said.
    Jada Yuan, HollywoodReporter, 7 June 2026
  • Then, Chan-wook tosses in a twist, and then another, and the film’s handsome veneer is removed to unveil the wickedly sinister tones lurking beneath.
    Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 6 June 2026
Adjective
  • The backstory The 1 Hotel has taken over what was formerly the Hotel Vitale, which always had fabulous bones (lots of windows, spacious guest rooms) but had been feeling a little frayed for the last few years of its existence.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
  • Attorney Jeffrey Kessler, who is fabulous at his job, seriously had this to say following the hearing.
    Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Beautiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beautiful. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.

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