deck 1 of 2

as in balcony
a flat roofless structure attached to a building the family usually ate on the deck on summer evenings

Synonyms & Similar Words

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deck

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word deck different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of deck are adorn, beautify, decorate, embellish, garnish, and ornament. While all these words mean "to enhance the appearance of something by adding something unessential," deck implies the addition of something that contributes to gaiety, splendor, or showiness.

a house all decked out for Christmas

When can adorn be used instead of deck?

In some situations, the words adorn and deck are roughly equivalent. However, adorn implies an enhancing by something beautiful in itself.

a diamond necklace adorned her neck

How are the words beautify and embellish related as synonyms of deck?

Beautify adds to embellish a suggestion of counterbalancing plainness or ugliness.

will beautify the grounds with flower beds

When could decorate be used to replace deck?

The meanings of decorate and deck largely overlap; however, decorate suggests relieving plainness or monotony by adding beauty of color or design.

decorate a birthday cake

When is embellish a more appropriate choice than deck?

The synonyms embellish and deck are sometimes interchangeable, but embellish often stresses the adding of superfluous or adventitious ornament.

embellish a page with floral borders

Where would garnish be a reasonable alternative to deck?

While the synonyms garnish and deck are close in meaning, 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 deck?

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 deck
Noun
The heart of the home is a dramatic great room with vaulted ceilings, a fireplace, and an entire wall of glass doors that open to a sweeping deck overlooking the harbor — from Marina Bay to downtown Boston. Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 29 May 2025 While business cards are tossed in the trash and decks are deleted, books are put on the bookshelf. Tom Freiling, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Verb
The Polidori family arrived at McGregor Square in downtown Denver on the day of the April 4 Colorado Rockies home opener decked in team gear and jackets with the logo of their company, Polidori Sausage, stitched on the front. Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2025 It’s topped off by a residents-only rooftop deck with indoor and outdoor areas and a pool overlooking downtown. Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deck
Noun
  • Unique Loom Outdoor Runner Rug Enhance your narrow balcony, porch, or deck with this runner that can complement multiple types of décor thanks to its minimalist design.
    Toni Sutton, People.com, 29 May 2025
  • After admiring the ornate Canarian-style balconies of Casa Salazar, guests can explore the rich flavors of the island during a visit to nearby El Lomo Winery.
    Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • Read Next World 1,400-year-old crown — still decorated with insect wings — found in South Korea May 22, 2025 1:16 PM Read Next World Students locate ancient Roman army camp beyond empire’s northern border.
    Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025
  • In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with mothers awarded the honorary title of Mother Heroine and families decorated with the Order of Parental...
    Clare Morell, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • From the outside, Lyons’s house is a textbook Baltimore row home with a modest porch made for relaxing on a nice day or having a smoke while you people-watch.
    Lawrence Burney, Pitchfork, 28 May 2025
  • Adding reliable and durable seating to patios, porches, and backyards is the first step in making your outdoor space as inviting as possible.
    Ali Faccenda, People.com, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • Signature lines from the production adorn the entry wall, a remote control signals a projector to show films from the 1960’s, the musical’s era, including Cool Hand Luke and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid starring the main character’s idol Paul Newman.
    Laurie Werner, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • It’s carved from a snaking mulberry branch and adorned with microchips, with a C.P.U. fan and a small desk clock embedded in the smoothly polished wood near its head.
    Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • The jewel of the home, a heated pool for swimming laps in the mornings, is located at the center of the inner courtyard, while the rooftop terrace offers an accommodating space for dining and lounging while taking in the city views.
    Shannon Sharpe, Architectural Digest, 28 May 2025
  • Guests can unwind as large doors open onto a sweeping private terrace, complete with a jacuzzi and uninterrupted views of the Acropolis and the historic Agios Dimitrios Church.
    Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • The high-rise bar has been decked out in Moroney's signature glam, with massive pink bows adorning walls, hot pink ribbons draped from ceilings and rhinestones adorning every conceivable angle of the space.
    Chris Barilla, People.com, 7 June 2025
  • Some models were draped in what appeared to be layers of newspapers reimagined as voluminous pants or peeping through sheer slip dresses.
    Samantha Tse, CNN Money, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • While restructuring in the name of efficiency is one way to trim headcount, a negative work environment can also have a direct impact on talent retention.
    The Hill, The Hill, 30 May 2025
  • The Owls trimmed the lead to 25-20 and got the ball back at their 30 with 32 seconds remaining in the game.
    Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 30 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Deck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deck. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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