ELEGANT Synonyms: 160 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'elegant' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of elegant are choice , dainty , delicate , exquisite , and rare . While all these words mean "having qualities that appeal to a cultivated taste," elegant applies to what is rich and luxurious but restrained by good taste. // a sumptuous but elegant dining room

Q: When is it sensible to use 'choice' instead of 'elegant'?

In some situations, the words choice and elegant are roughly equivalent. However, choice stresses preeminence in quality or kind. // choice fabric

Q: Where would 'dainty' be a reasonable alternative to 'elegant'?

Although the words dainty and elegant have much in common, dainty sometimes carries an additional suggestion of smallness and of appeal to the eye or palate. // dainty sandwiches

Q: When is 'delicate' a more appropriate choice than 'elegant'?

The meanings of delicate and elegant largely overlap; however, delicate implies exquisiteness, subtlety, and fragility. // delicate craftsmanship

Q: When would 'exquisite' be a good substitute for 'elegant'?

While in some cases nearly identical to elegant , exquisite implies a perfection in workmanship or design that appeals only to very sensitive taste. // an exquisite gold bracelet

Q: When might 'rare' be a better fit than 'elegant'?

While the synonyms rare and elegant are close in meaning, rare suggests an uncommon excellence. // rare beauty

elegant

adjective

ˈe-li-gənt

Definition of elegant

as in graceful

having or showing elegance the most elegant First Lady in the nation's history the bride's elegant gown received nothing but praise

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in exquisite

having qualities that appeal to a refined taste prepared an elegant dinner for the honored guests

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word elegant different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of elegant are choice, dainty, delicate, exquisite, and rare. While all these words mean "having qualities that appeal to a cultivated taste," elegant applies to what is rich and luxurious but restrained by good taste.

a sumptuous but elegant dining room

When is it sensible to use choice instead of elegant?

In some situations, the words choice and elegant are roughly equivalent. However, choice stresses preeminence in quality or kind.

choice fabric

Where would dainty be a reasonable alternative to elegant?

Although the words dainty and elegant have much in common, dainty sometimes carries an additional suggestion of smallness and of appeal to the eye or palate.

dainty sandwiches

When is delicate a more appropriate choice than elegant?

The meanings of delicate and elegant largely overlap; however, delicate implies exquisiteness, subtlety, and fragility.

delicate craftsmanship

When would exquisite be a good substitute for elegant?

While in some cases nearly identical to elegant, exquisite implies a perfection in workmanship or design that appeals only to very sensitive taste.

an exquisite gold bracelet

When might rare be a better fit than elegant?

While the synonyms rare and elegant are close in meaning, rare suggests an uncommon excellence.

rare beauty

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 elegant On the following evening (July 21), the celebration continued as the Brooklyn Museum hosted the annual Pop Smoke Fashion Gala, an elegant black-tie fundraiser celebrating the late artist’s influence on fashion, music, and culture. — Christine Imarenezor, VIBE.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Rather than pursuing complexity for its own sake, the objective was to create a gin that faithfully expresses the Mediterranean woodland surrounding Castiglion del Bosco while remaining elegant, floral and harmonious. — Jillian Dara, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 The pop star and the Eternity actor recently tied the knot in an elegant ceremony in Sicily at the historic Villa Valguarnera near Palermo on June 6, after officially marrying in London’s Marylebone Town Hall in advance. — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026 Gold hardware adds an elegant touch for slightly dressier occasions—these are versatile enough to wear with denim shorts and a T-shirt or with a flowy linen dress. — Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elegant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for elegant

Adjective

Memories of a childhood marked by economic hardship and abuse intertwine with the natural world in this graceful début memoir, which is structured around the author’s seven-year project of walking every street in Santa Cruz County, in California.

— The New Yorker, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
The good news is that Venus in Libra can improve professional visibility, making negotiations and professional opportunities all the more graceful and prosperous.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of graceful

Adjective

The transfer here is as exquisite as any of Warner Archive’s releases, and there are some juicy extras for Crawford fans in the form of original radio broadcasts featuring the star (there’s also a documentary on MGM executive Irving Thalberg).

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 28 July 2026
Having eaten nearly every possible version of lobster over the past few days, there was something special about feasting on local mushrooms and indulging in a dozen exquisite Maine oysters.

— Dinaw Mengestu, Travel + Leisure, 28 July 2026

Definition of exquisite

Adjective

Later on, Bret wanders away from his friends and runs into Debbie’s father, Terry Schaffer (Wes Bentley), entertaining handsome young men in the hot tub.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026
The younger Gere plays Robert Mallory, the handsome new student who transfers to Buckley prep at the same time that The Trawler begins killing local teens.

— Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of handsome

Adjective

The infield prospect went 4 for -5 with four singles, also committing a rare double-error at third base.

— CBS News, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
The proposal, approved during a rare summer special session, would place before voters in November a constitutional amendment that clarifies how Maryland‘s congressional districts are drawn.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of rare

Adjective

Takaichi said last Thursday that Japan would cut the tax on food to 1% from 8% for two years from April 2027, and offer cash payments to offset the impact of that 1% on select groups.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
The aircraft interior is customizable, with clients able to personalize the seating layout and select finishes and materials.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of select

Browse Nearby Words

elegancy

elegant

elegantly

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“Elegant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elegant. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of elegant

adjective

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