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 Tidy Up Your Yard Cleaning up your yard does more than beautify it; similarly to tall grass, any areas where there is excessive brush or overgrowth can create a haven for ticks to find. Heather Bien, The Spruce, 23 June 2026 Inside the car were two big boxes filled with things to beautify and create a community garden in a green space in the Milton-Montford neighborhood. Dennis Valera, CBS News, 22 June 2026 Arched trellises Hagerty built out of bent hog paneling give climbing vegetables sturdy support—and beautify the space. Johanna Silver, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 June 2026 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, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for beautify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beautify
Verb
  • This disaccharide is found decorating the cells of nonprimate mammals, including cows and pigs, but it’s also released in the saliva of ticks, particularly the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum).
    Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 7 July 2026
  • The Cafe Orleans trees are decorated with seasonal decor during the Mardi Gras season.
    Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 7 July 2026
Verb
  • He was surrounded by beige pleather armchairs gathered around low tables adorned with silk flowers.
    Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • While male figures adorn the bills, recent years have seen the signatures of powerful women like Janet Yellen, Lynn Malerba, Azie Taylor Morton, and Rosa Gumataotao Rios quietly circulate on trillions of dollars.
    Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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