embellish

Definition of embellishnext

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 defining styles range from classic leather flip-flops embellished with subtle beading to lace-up flat sandals and jelly styles that go all-in on playful whimsy. Lauren Fisher, Footwear News, 22 June 2026 In the images, Lipa can be seen wearing a custom Chanel haute couture wedding gown embellished with crystals and feathers. Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 20 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, 14 June 2026 It was elaborately embellished, heavy — an actual work of art. Allison Johnson, The Verge, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for embellish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embellish
Verb
  • The four-time Olympian was not exaggerating.
    Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
  • Many of the studies exaggerate the amount in human organs, the European officials concluded.
    Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • The player Dunleavy ended up picking was one of the most decorated in the nation.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 24 June 2026
  • Jean-Micheal Gathy's interiors are decorated in pale sand, taupe, and gold tones, with marble floors and silken carpets.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • This may sound like a minor detail, but cabin location can enhance the overall journey.
    Jackie DeAntonis, Travel + Leisure, 25 June 2026
  • In addition to its instant, complexion-enhancing tint, the formula contains skin care ingredients lauded for their smoothing, quenching properties.
    Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • The stone lantern adorned with deer in Osaka Garden on the grounds of the Museum of Science and Industry is from the exhibition, and just southeast of there one of the stone structures from the World's Fair is now a Chicago Park District restroom.
    Suzanne Le Mignot, CBS News, 27 June 2026
  • Fans have also indulged in a more modern Scottish tradition, adorning statues in both cities with traffic cones.
    Elmira Aliieva, NBC news, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • The Angels padded the advantage in the fifth inning when Jose Siri led off with a single, Zach Neto doubled and Vaughn Grissom followed with a two-run single to left.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
  • Private fundraising has long been seen as a way to pad school budgets in wealthier communities, usually to pay for nice-to-haves, such as field trips and student clubs.
    Mila Koumpilova, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Embellish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embellish. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on embellish

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster