EMBELLISH Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

embellish

verb

im-ˈbe-lish

Definition of embellish next

as in to exaggerate

to add to the interest of by including made-up details the story of the comic marriage proposal was embellished as it passed from one generation to the next in the family

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to decorate

to make more attractive by adding something that is beautiful or becoming the walls of the French restaurant are embellished with scenes of Parisian life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 kit was embellished with a bevy of sparkles, creating a star motif that Williams matched with the crystal details in her hair. —

Conchita Widjojo, Footwear News, 1 June 2026 The show was named after one of these ships, The Terror (the second was The Erebus) and it’s all based on a true story, though wildly embellished both out of necessity and for entertainment purposes. —

Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 May 2026 Back in town, inside Palma’s majestic Gothic landmark La Seu, spellbinding rainbows of color flooded down on the nave, and flying buttresses exquisitely embellished the walkable roof terrace. —

Norma Meyer, Oc Register, 27 May 2026 It’s also been cited as what’s wrong with basketball, as he’s been labeled a player who embellishes contact, resulting in opportunities at the free-throw line. —

Jason Jones, New York Times, 24 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for embellish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for embellish

Verb

Goldman says Lander is exaggerating the gulf between them.

— Russell Berman, The Atlantic, 7 June 2026
Sub-six-footers aren’t the only ones who exaggerate their height, though.

— Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 4 June 2026