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

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
There's also an elevator that takes visitors from the Museum Hall to the observation deck, and ramps between the deck’s different levels for visitors in wheelchairs. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Jan. 2026 In its 43 years of service, the Britannia banked over a million nautical miles and opened its decks to scores of influential people. Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
Throughout the holidays, the park’s 30-foot LEGO tree decked with lights and LEGO ornaments built out of more than 350,000 LEGO and Duplo bricks. Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Dec. 2025 From chestnuts literally roasting on an open fire in the rain to a string quartet raising money for a mission trip decked in Victorian-era clothing, and hot chocolate being sold, the Victorian Christmas in Nevada City has been bringing visitors to this era since 1978. Charlie Lapastora, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deck
Noun
  • Network with fellow investors on the NASDAQ balcony overlooking Times Square during an exclusive cocktail hour with CNBC experts, on-air talent, and Pro subscribers who share your commitment to financial excellence.
    Patricia Martell, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Water-facing terraces and balconies overlook 115 feet of lake frontage, a pool, and a summer kitchen.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Her days are patterned, quiet, and slow; her toys make no clattering sounds, the nursery is decorated only in soothing, dim colors.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
  • The site where Pretti was killed, on Nicollet Avenue near 26th Street, was decorated with hundreds of pillar and votive candles and dozens of flower bouquets and signs left by neighbors and mourners by midday Monday.
    Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Then there’s the scourge known as porch pirates.
    Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
  • The night of the Eaton fire, Manning was drying ceremonial sage on her porch.
    Erica Zora Wrightson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The Cunio brothers sit side-by-side, not wanting to be apart for too long these days, and raise up their wrists, adorned with matching tattoos.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
  • Upon entering the foyer, I was greeted by a growling animatronic Chewbacca, playfully adorned with a Christmas hat for the holiday season.
    Robert Lang, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • At the top end of the spectrum, penthouses with additional bedrooms and expansive terraces list above $21 million, with some premier penthouses reaching up to $40 million.
    Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
  • Adding to the allure are ample building amenities courtesy of a $6,695 monthly common charge, including a fitness studio, a spa treatment room, a Zen tearoom with service provided by Armani Ristorante, and a library lounge with access to a lushly landscaped terrace.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Teyana Taylor also went the cutout route in a black Schiaparelli dress that draped around her body.
    Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Kate Hudson shimmered in a custom Giorgio Armani Privé draped silver halter-neck gown with crystal embellishments.
    Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The Federal Reserve, in an attempt to shore up a softening labor market, trimmed its benchmark lending rate by a quarter-point three straight times at the end of last year.
    Matt Ott, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
  • The Black Edition has black all over, including the body, trim, 18-inch alloy wheels, skidplate, and grille—and even black glass, almost, or privacy glass.
    Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 29 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Deck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deck. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.

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