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 The spa features biohacking treatments, exclusive beautifying therapies by high-end Hungarian brand Omorovicza, and a series of outdoor baths and infrared saunas. Siobhan Reid, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025 The grant is going to help beautify these space but alos help kids invest in their neighborhood, said Meg Bruzan, who is part of the six-member all volunteer board of We Got This. La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025 Venus in Leo wants to beautify your sanctuary. Usa Today, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2025 Muralist Kian Dubay, of Pittsburgh, traveling with fellow artist Phil Seth, beautified a dingy basketball goal north of the Valparaiso Creates Center on Indiana Avenue. Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for beautify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beautify
Verb
  • Jen went into Dedication Night with a special boost, courtesy of husband Zac Affleck, who collected stories from fans and friends of how Jen has inspired them and decorated her trailer with them ahead of her performance.
    Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Vintage photos decorate the walls and the extensive menu covers breakfast, lunch and dinner classics, from eggs Benedict and patty melts to floats and ice cream sundaes.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Jasper runner model got a rose pink or mountain green colorway update, and is adorned with suede patchwork pegasus motifs and ponytail-like fringe details at the back, a nod to the upcoming year of the horse in the Chinese lunar calendar.
    Denni Hu, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Vivid frescoes and ornate details of Renaissance and Mannerism elegance adorn the interior.
    Fulvio De Bonis, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Beautify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beautify. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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