deck 1 of 2

Definition of decknext
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

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 apartment building would wrap around a seven-level parking structure that would begin below grade with 658 spaces and include amenities such as a leasing office, fitness center, coworking space, pet spa, outdoor gathering areas, and a rooftop pool deck. Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 8 Mar. 2026 Israel showed life again in the sixth when RJ Schreck launched a two-out solo homer to the right-field second deck off Ricardo Sánchez to cut the deficit to 5-2. Noah Gulley, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
The wife joined the fray, allegedly attacking another septuagenarian who tried to break up the melee after he was decked by her husband. Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026 The swish of chainmail coming down the runway was audible, as models slinked down the catwalk decked in statement pelts and belts. Anika Reed, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deck
Noun
  • The hinoki cedar soaking tubs are the main event; afterward, cool off on one of the sofas on the balcony, where each room's private garden is planted with the trees and flowers that the suite is named for.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2026
  • But the real joy here lies in exploring Ronda’s back streets and taking in its beautiful balconies, wispy gardens, and panoramic views.
    Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • People gathered at Navy Pier on Saturday to celebrate the Hindu spring tradition of Holi, also known as the festival of colors, with music, dance, and by throwing and decorating each other with colored powder.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Or, frost the cake completely and decorate with a fruity garnish for a more elegant event.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The chill all-day Mediterranean spot is Manja, noted by its huge, curving aqua pizza oven and porch swings.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026
  • According to police, bricks on the front porch of a home on West Godfrey Avenue were also damaged by a spare tire.
    Joe Brandt, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The 1922 neoclassical building houses all 90 guest rooms, each supremely comfortable and adorned with Art Deco details.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Mar. 2026
  • However, upon closer inspection, the dress was actually made of various black gloves, which adorned the bodice.
    Meg Walters, InStyle, 7 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The newest cruise liner just hit the seas this past July and offers up a slew of spacious suites (226, to be exact), each with its own private terrace.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The very first episode of ANTM subjected the contestants to on-camera Brazilian bikini waxes and then sent them up to a Manhattan roof terrace to pose in swimwear in frigid weather.
    Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Applying a matte clear coat to a dark green shade allows these nails to look like they're draped in cozy velvet.
    Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Their caskets will be draped with American flags as they're moved by an honor guard from the aircraft used to bring them home.
    Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Though the system managed only a dim glow, Lorna was still grateful for the flick of a switch rather than the toil of refilling oil lamps and trimming candles.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Looking like an early aughts version of her mom, the model posed for a watery photo shoot in a sleeveless chiffon shift dress, as well as a a gauzy white sundress with spaghetti straps and lace trim.
    Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 5 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Deck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deck. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.

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