as in decorative
serving to add beauty
changes in the original design of the building were purely cosmetic
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Recent Examples of cosmetic
Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 5 Mar. 2026
Between them, Sandgaard and Lucsok used their sizable earnings to pay for a private jet, a Lamborghini, the McLaren sports car, cosmetic procedures, real estate and the British soccer club, investigators said.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
Fred Imbert, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026
It was also adopted by dermo-cosmetic brands for sensitive skin.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cosmetic
Adjective
Knives The one kitchen utensil that will cause the most noticeable cosmetic damage to your cast iron is a knife when used directly in the cookware.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 5 Mar. 2026
Between them, Sandgaard and Lucsok used their sizable earnings to pay for a private jet, a Lamborghini, the McLaren sports car, cosmetic procedures, real estate and the British soccer club, investigators said.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
Estee Lauder — The cosmetics company moved nearly 2% higher on the back of an upgrade at Raymond James to strong buy from market perform.
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026
It was also adopted by dermo-cosmetic brands for sensitive skin.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cosmetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cosmetic
Adjective
-
The kené art in the cabins aren’t just decorative details—they’re a testament to the cultural traditions of the Shipibo-Konibo community that the artist Deysi Ramírez belongs to.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
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All were active in Los Angeles — Williams, for instance, was a pivotal designer on the LAX Theme Building — and Smith interlaces decorative flourishes in varying styles that twist around one another to work up the Legacy Tower’s pointed spheres.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Fresh from Ferragamo’s FW26 show, makeup artist Thom Walker is leading makeup; hairstylist Tom Wright, who worked with Marni and Diesel this season, will do hair; and Simone Schofer cast the show.—
Lucy Maguire,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
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Right down to the makeup artist, to hair, to wardrobe, everyone tried to encourage each other.—
Kathleen Perricone,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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His designs drew heavily from 17th-19th century French and Italian architecture, using symmetry, boiserie, ornamental plasterwork and stone detailing, and bringing an authentic sense of heritage to any space.—
Jennifer Baum Lagdameo,
Architectural Digest,
10 Mar. 2026
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Pre-emergents are also less problematic to use than post-emergent weed killers that can accidentally kill desirable ornamental plants, grasses, and vegetables.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
That meant a textured white wallpaper Colding found at Thibaut paired with a paint-splatter pattern for the ceiling.—
Wendy Goodman,
Curbed,
7 Mar. 2026
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The Wizards, who held a significant edge in rebounds (36-20) and points in the paint (40-28), were led by junior Nola Greenwald’s 18 points.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The size, coloring, and distinctive yellow striping on the head and jaw are the key features to watch for.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Some were lying on the floor coloring.—
John Wisely,
Freep.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cosmetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cosmetic. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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