embellish

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of embellish are adorn, beautify, deck, decorate, garnish, and ornament. While all these words mean "to enhance the appearance of something by adding something unessential," embellish often stresses the adding of superfluous or adventitious ornament.

embellish a page with floral borders

When could adorn be used to replace embellish?

Although the words adorn and embellish have much in common, adorn implies an enhancing by something beautiful in itself.

a diamond necklace adorned her neck

How do beautify and embellish relate to one another?

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

will beautify the grounds with flower beds

When might deck be a better fit than embellish?

The words deck and embellish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deck implies the addition of something that contributes to gaiety, splendor, or showiness.

a house all decked out for Christmas

When can decorate be used instead of embellish?

The synonyms decorate and embellish are sometimes interchangeable, but decorate suggests relieving plainness or monotony by adding beauty of color or design.

decorate a birthday cake

Where would garnish be a reasonable alternative to embellish?

The meanings of garnish and embellish largely overlap; however, 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 are the words ornament and embellish related?

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 embellish The top was embellished with an assortment of black gems throughout and was cropped. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 3 May 2025 The home’s wooden entry door opens not into the house but rather into an outdoor foyer embellished with minty green latticework, one of Palm Beach’s most enduring design motifs. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 7 May 2025 Of course, the true star of this look was the bright yellow faux-fur jacket embellished with the Louis Vuitton logo pattern, which matched her bright yellow Louis Vuitton handbag. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 6 May 2025 The British driver, who is co-chair of the prestigious 2025 event, chose a cream Wales Bonner suit complimented by a matching cream beret embellished with a gold brooch. Lydia Mee, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for embellish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embellish
Verb
  • Coffey seemed to exaggerate it, throwing her hands up while going down.
    Fernando Ramirez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2025
  • The movie exaggerates the struggles Scaravella faced.
    Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • Followers often applaud her decorating skills, but also worry that living in such a cramped space could impact her health.
    Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 18 May 2025
  • Numerous cellphone videos from nearby onlookers captured the moment the ship's masts, decorated with lights, collided with the bottom of the Brooklyn Bridge.
    Riley Hoffman, ABC News, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Data scientists analyze complex datasets to extract actionable insights, a role that AI enhances rather than replaces.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
  • Switch on headlights - Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 May 2025
Verb
  • The inside collar is grey, mimicking the concrete interior structure of the Monster, and is adorned with 1912, the year Fenway Park first opened.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 16 May 2025
  • Some jeans are adorned with crystals, while others have a grunge and vintage, aged appearance.
    Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • The Twins padded Buxton's contract with various performance bonuses based on plate appearances and awards.
    Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
  • Adames padded that lead in the fifth inning with the 155th home run of his career, a two-run shot that barely cleared the left-field fence and extended the Giants’ lead to 6-3.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 13 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Embellish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embellish. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on embellish

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