1
as in exaggerates
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decorates
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
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Recent Examples of embellishes
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
The work embellishes the landscape with a new pond set in a faux archaeological site, out of which rise a series of clear columns housing soil ecosystems extracted from the grounds.
—Tina Rivers Ryan, Artforum, 14 May 2026
The menu at Hop Alley, a Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee, is reflective of a cuisine that calls back to certain Chinese classics, but embellishes them with unexpected ingredients and techniques.
—Esther Tseng, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Nov. 2025
And although this recipe embellishes the gourd with sautéed mushrooms, the roasted squash is also delectable all by itself.
—Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Jason Jones, New York Times, 24 May 2026
The work embellishes the landscape with a new pond set in a faux archaeological site, out of which rise a series of clear columns housing soil ecosystems extracted from the grounds.
—Tina Rivers Ryan, Artforum, 14 May 2026
The menu at Hop Alley, a Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee, is reflective of a cuisine that calls back to certain Chinese classics, but embellishes them with unexpected ingredients and techniques.
—Esther Tseng, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Nov. 2025
And although this recipe embellishes the gourd with sautéed mushrooms, the roasted squash is also delectable all by itself.
—Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embellishes
Verb
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Dehydration exaggerates creases and makes skin look less supple.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Dehydration exaggerates creases and gives skin a texture that emphasizes lines.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Among the first illustrators Vicki represented was Robert Grossman, who eventually became Annie’s dad — his art still decorates the walls.—
Anne Kadet,
Curbed,
15 May 2026
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My cabin had a neutral-toned color scheme with decor in varying shades of beige and a dark navy carpet, which was a nice contrast to the vibrant art that decorates most of the ship.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
If the tile goes mid-way up the wall, the designer recommends choosing a paint color that enhances the tile’s color, either a similar hue or a complementary tone.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 June 2026
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This enhances France’s capability to maintain its operational superiority in contested and high-intensity airspaces.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
This volume adorns a huge number of bedside tables for a reason.—
Anna Holmes,
The Atlantic,
27 May 2026
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Entry comes with a tug on the giant calligraphy brush that adorns the doorway.—
Melinda Sheckells,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Embellishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embellishes. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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