BEAUTIFY Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'beautify' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of beautify are adorn , deck , decorate , embellish , garnish , and ornament . While all these words mean "to enhance the appearance of something by adding something unessential," beautify adds to embellish a suggestion of counterbalancing plainness or ugliness. // will beautify the grounds with flower beds

Q: Where would 'adorn' be a reasonable alternative to 'beautify'?

Although the words adorn and beautify have much in common, adorn implies an enhancing by something beautiful in itself. // a diamond necklace adorned her neck

Q: When is 'deck' a more appropriate choice than 'beautify'?

In some situations, the words deck and beautify are roughly equivalent. However, deck implies the addition of something that contributes to gaiety, splendor, or showiness. // a house all decked out for Christmas

Q: When could 'decorate' be used to replace 'beautify'?

The synonyms decorate and beautify are sometimes interchangeable, but decorate suggests relieving plainness or monotony by adding beauty of color or design. // decorate a birthday cake

Q: When is it sensible to use 'embellish' instead of 'beautify'?

The meanings of embellish and beautify largely overlap; however, embellish often stresses the adding of superfluous or adventitious ornament. // embellish a page with floral borders

Q: When can 'garnish' be used instead of 'beautify'?

While in some cases nearly identical to beautify , garnish suggests decorating with a small final touch and is used especially in referring to the serving of food. // an entrée garnished with parsley

Q: How do 'ornament' and 'embellish' relate to one another, in the sense of 'beautify'?

Both ornament and embellish imply the adding of something extraneous, ornament stressing the heightening or setting off of the original. // a white house ornamented with green shutters

beautify

verb

ˈbyü-tə-ˌfī

Definition of beautify next

as in to decorate

to make more attractive by adding something that is beautiful or becoming volunteers beautified the roadside landscape by planting flowers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word beautify different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of beautify are adorn, deck, decorate, embellish, garnish, and ornament. While all these words mean "to enhance the appearance of something by adding something unessential," beautify adds to embellish a suggestion of counterbalancing plainness or ugliness.

will beautify the grounds with flower beds

Where would adorn be a reasonable alternative to beautify?

Although the words adorn and beautify have much in common, adorn implies an enhancing by something beautiful in itself.

a diamond necklace adorned her neck

When is deck a more appropriate choice than beautify?

In some situations, the words deck and beautify are roughly equivalent. However, deck implies the addition of something that contributes to gaiety, splendor, or showiness.

a house all decked out for Christmas

When could decorate be used to replace beautify?

The synonyms decorate and beautify are sometimes interchangeable, but decorate suggests relieving plainness or monotony by adding beauty of color or design.

decorate a birthday cake

When is it sensible to use embellish instead of beautify?

The meanings of embellish and beautify largely overlap; however, embellish often stresses the adding of superfluous or adventitious ornament.

embellish a page with floral borders

When can garnish be used instead of beautify?

While in some cases nearly identical to beautify, garnish suggests decorating with a small final touch and is used especially in referring to the serving of food.

an entrée garnished with parsley

How do ornament and embellish relate to one another, in the sense of beautify?

Both ornament and embellish imply the adding of something extraneous, ornament stressing the heightening or setting off of the original.

a white house ornamented with green shutters

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 beautify As someone who enjoys gardening and beautifying my yard, one thing that always dampens my mood is the sight of weeds. —

Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 19 May 2026 And on the way to the Civic Center and Brea Gallery, visitors can tour the nearly 200 pieces of public art beautifying the city’s landscape, ranging from sculptures of individuals who reflect the town’s history to abstract pieces forged from metal that convey an artist’s thoughts. —

Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 14 May 2026 What happened is everybody started beautifying homes and beautifying buildings. —

Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 13 May 2026 Olly has created several products to beautify your skin, reduce fine lines and give your hair a healthy boost. —

Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for beautify

Recent Examples of Synonyms for beautify

Verb

The garment was made from a light blue fabric with colorful floral embroidery, and a prominent diamond brooch decorating the center of the V-neckline.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 16 June 2026
Scallops have become one of decorating's most enduring motifs, and this wastebasket embraces them wholeheartedly.

— Jaha Nailah Avery, Architectural Digest, 15 June 2026