as in decorating
to serve as a completing element to
this silk handkerchief will complement your suit very nicely and give it a bit of dash
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Recent Examples of complementing
For this easy one-layer snacking cake, Marmite is the secret ingredient in the dark chocolate ganache, amplifying the natural fruitiness of dark chocolate and complementing the cardamom, coffee, and orange flavors in the cake.
—
Kristen Hartke, Saveur, 12 Mar. 2026
The jungle atmosphere of the outdoor dining space at Jose Luis Hinostroza's award-winning Arca feels both rich and raw, perfectly complementing the food that highlights local ingredients and traditions and uses fire as a key element for flavor.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
Earthy shades are layered head-to-toe, complementing each other while making a quiet yet undeniable statement.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 9 Mar. 2026
Instead of thinking of the bathtub as competing with the shower, view it as complementing it.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026
Marks jumped at the chance to perform for free inside the theater, his brassy freewheeling equally complementing and contrasting the sounds of the intersection.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Though the Prime Video TV series and the video games share continuity, the show tends to stay in its own lane, either complementing or adding to the overall lore of the source material.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2026
Golden West Lainey Wilson’s Western boot brand Golden West recently dropped its Night Bloom cowboy boot, a short style with embossed python leather on the foot and a pull tab, complementing a rich bourbon brown.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 24 Feb. 2026
Glass vases with pink orchids were placed throughout the presentation space, complementing the earthy tones and bright accents in Zimbalist's designs.
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
Kristen Hartke, Saveur, 12 Mar. 2026
The jungle atmosphere of the outdoor dining space at Jose Luis Hinostroza's award-winning Arca feels both rich and raw, perfectly complementing the food that highlights local ingredients and traditions and uses fire as a key element for flavor.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
Earthy shades are layered head-to-toe, complementing each other while making a quiet yet undeniable statement.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 9 Mar. 2026
Instead of thinking of the bathtub as competing with the shower, view it as complementing it.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026
Marks jumped at the chance to perform for free inside the theater, his brassy freewheeling equally complementing and contrasting the sounds of the intersection.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Though the Prime Video TV series and the video games share continuity, the show tends to stay in its own lane, either complementing or adding to the overall lore of the source material.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2026
Golden West Lainey Wilson’s Western boot brand Golden West recently dropped its Night Bloom cowboy boot, a short style with embossed python leather on the foot and a pull tab, complementing a rich bourbon brown.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 24 Feb. 2026
Glass vases with pink orchids were placed throughout the presentation space, complementing the earthy tones and bright accents in Zimbalist's designs.
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complementing
Verb
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What this week provided was a savvy path to fortify one last Super Bowl push for those high-cost veterans decorating the offense.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
14 Mar. 2026
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But don’t install dramatic tile in the bathroom or statement-making wallpaper in the dining room solely in hopes of wooing a buyer, as decorating taste is incredibly subjective, notes Nolen.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Looks best with a few bottles of Chartreuse adorning it.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
10 Mar. 2026
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The rooms The rooms carry the InterContinental’s signature sleek aesthetic, featuring warm wood, gold and cream accents, elegant reading lamps, and modern art adorning the walls.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Japanese government is roughly two years away from completing its own network of satellites to track moving objects.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Mar. 2026
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By September last year, the project advanced further as the ship’s three towering masts were installed, marking a critical step toward completing the vessel’s distinctive sail system.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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There are hundreds of perennial and low-growing shrub groundcover plants, including short ornamental grasses that provide thick, dense cover, control erosion, and choke out weeds while enhancing the overall landscape.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Mar. 2026
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Turkey has been further enhancing its border defenses to be able to respond to a potential influx of people fleeing unrest after mass antigovernment protests in Iran were met by a brutal crackdown in January that left thousands dead.—
Serra Yedikardes,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complementing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complementing. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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