as in ornamental
serving to add beauty
a necklace of decorative flowers was planted along the path to the cottage
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Recent Examples of decorative
The classic crewneck sweater keeps you warm without feeling too heavy, and decorative buttons at the cuffs add a small but elegant detail.
—
Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
Instead of filling shelves and surfaces with decorative filler, minimalists tend to only keep pieces that serve a function, or hold personal meaning.
—Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 4 Feb. 2026
The opposite wall of the store features long shelves with Glassman’s collection of vintage glass, decorative dishes and bowls, interspersed with new merchandise.
—Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 4 Feb. 2026
Developers rescued the decorative cornice from the property’s previous building and worked it into the new exterior, giving the brand-new home an additional dose of historic gravitas.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decorative
Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
Instead of filling shelves and surfaces with decorative filler, minimalists tend to only keep pieces that serve a function, or hold personal meaning.
—Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 4 Feb. 2026
The opposite wall of the store features long shelves with Glassman’s collection of vintage glass, decorative dishes and bowls, interspersed with new merchandise.
—Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 4 Feb. 2026
Developers rescued the decorative cornice from the property’s previous building and worked it into the new exterior, giving the brand-new home an additional dose of historic gravitas.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decorative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decorative
ornamental
Adjective
-
The lush mixed planting includes canna, coleus, ornamental grass, and rose campion.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Women are ornamental to a world entirely populated and controlled by rich men.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decorative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decorative. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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