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
Not by replacing traditional medicine, but by complementing it.
—
Amplified Content Studio, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026
But while a coat can often fully conceal a great outfit, a cape, on the other hand, acts more as a strong complementing piece to your overall ensemble.
—Morgan Evans, InStyle, 15 Jan. 2026
Eva Mendes' turquoise Van Cleef & Arpels necklace made a major statement at the 2009 Golden Globes, beautifully complementing her white Dior gown.
—Colleen Kratofil, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
Sergio’s studio exemplifies this sentiment, with vast crittall doors complementing the original stone arches and the original limestone floor and walls left in all their glory (email well in advance for a viewing).
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
Rather than creating a harsh line, the fresh fringe moves and breathes, complementing her features instead of dominating them.
—María Munsuri, Glamour, 6 Jan. 2026
Queen Mary also carried a Quidam Bags clutch in a shade of navy, complementing her look.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 6 Jan. 2026
Foliage turns burgundy red in the winter, complementing the berries that attract hungry birds.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 19 Dec. 2025
The wines will be served exclusively through the resort’s 10-course chef’s table experience, complementing the fresh vegetables and herbs from the resort farm and the ocean delicacies straight from the sea.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 15 Dec. 2025
Amplified Content Studio, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026
But while a coat can often fully conceal a great outfit, a cape, on the other hand, acts more as a strong complementing piece to your overall ensemble.
—Morgan Evans, InStyle, 15 Jan. 2026
Eva Mendes' turquoise Van Cleef & Arpels necklace made a major statement at the 2009 Golden Globes, beautifully complementing her white Dior gown.
—Colleen Kratofil, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
Sergio’s studio exemplifies this sentiment, with vast crittall doors complementing the original stone arches and the original limestone floor and walls left in all their glory (email well in advance for a viewing).
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
Rather than creating a harsh line, the fresh fringe moves and breathes, complementing her features instead of dominating them.
—María Munsuri, Glamour, 6 Jan. 2026
Queen Mary also carried a Quidam Bags clutch in a shade of navy, complementing her look.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 6 Jan. 2026
Foliage turns burgundy red in the winter, complementing the berries that attract hungry birds.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 19 Dec. 2025
The wines will be served exclusively through the resort’s 10-course chef’s table experience, complementing the fresh vegetables and herbs from the resort farm and the ocean delicacies straight from the sea.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 15 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complementing
Verb
-
However, decorating is a marathon—not a sprint.—
Shagun Khare,
The Spruce,
9 Jan. 2026
-
My husband devotes many hours to baking all the desserts, shopping for food and drinks, and lavishly decorating the house.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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On their website, the brand noted that more than 30 yards of French Chantilly lace went into the construction, and the 600 buttons adorning it are also covered in lace.—
Alfredo Toriello,
Vanity Fair,
8 Jan. 2026
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Also adorning the topper are 2,867 other diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, and 269 pearls, according to the Royal Collection Trust.—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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And, one after another, her children followed the same path of completing one or two years of college before dropping out and launching families of their own.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Not only is the actual lighting itself important for completing tasks and creating ambiance, but the fixtures also double as decor.—
Brittney Morgan,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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People have been complaining about the progressively enhancing degradation in the city for weeks.—
Alex Wigglesworth,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Jan. 2026
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The keyboard designer introduced models to support productivity while enhancing personal expression, crafting tools that feel like they were truly made for the user.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complementing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complementing. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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