Definition of beautifynext

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 Registration is open from March 16, 2026, to April 18, 2026, for residents, volunteer groups, and community associations looking to beautify their neighborhoods. Andrew Adeolu, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026 There are plenty of smaller trees to choose from that beautify your yard and win compliments from neighbors. Steve Bender, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026 The high-quality products are made using the finest-grade oils and pigments to protect and beautify exterior wood. Kylie Petty, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 2026 Please take the time to nominate your neighbors who beautify our neighborhoods. Andrea Manes, Oc Register, 26 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for beautify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beautify
Verb
  • Each room is decorated with antiques and architectural salvage that’s been collected over the years, adding a little personality to the modern space.
    Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2026
  • The stunning views extend into the guest rooms, each of which is decorated with simple wooden furniture and has windows that open onto the salty air and the sound of crashing waves.
    Akash Kapur, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Her look came adorned with red antlers and a person in a red bodysuit to hold her veil.
    Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
  • The Phoenix Crown of the Druk Gyaltsuen (Dragon Queen) is made of silk brocade and adorned with phoenixes and other Buddhist motifs, Tatler Asia previously reported.
    Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Beautify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beautify. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.

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