as in decorative
serving to add beauty
the chef tends to overuse sprigs of parsley and other embellishing garnishes on dishes that don't need them
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in exaggerating
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decorating
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of embellishing
Michael Waters, New Yorker, 3 Jan. 2026
Many fans of the NBA today believe there are too many whistles, players embellishing for fouls, and superstar players conga lining to the free-throw line.
—Tyler Erzberger, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
In Babylonian and Assyrian artworks, too, feathers are often seen covering the bodies of deities or embellishing royal crowns.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
That calls for a little extra creativity from its mom — and the movie’s narrator (Emilia Clarke) — who wriggles her mandibles and gets to work embellishing upon what Dahl imagined.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
One of the standout footwear styles presented by Dior was a mule with a dramatically oversized rosette embellishing the upper, coming in different colors including a pastel plaid.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
The spread of banchan—side dishes that fill out a traditional Korean meal—that surrounds the central grill serves as a choose-your-own-adventure map for perfectly embellishing your meats of choice.
—Irene Yoo
september 26, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
Inch by inch, the AI aids the person in embellishing the delusion.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
The sweater’s drop shoulder gives it a relaxed look, and the patch pockets on the pants are both practical and embellishing.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2025
Verb
Like Frey, Lowell was a self-dramatizing fraudster, taking elements of her real life and grandly embellishing them.
—Michael Waters, New Yorker, 3 Jan. 2026
Many fans of the NBA today believe there are too many whistles, players embellishing for fouls, and superstar players conga lining to the free-throw line.
—Tyler Erzberger, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
In Babylonian and Assyrian artworks, too, feathers are often seen covering the bodies of deities or embellishing royal crowns.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
That calls for a little extra creativity from its mom — and the movie’s narrator (Emilia Clarke) — who wriggles her mandibles and gets to work embellishing upon what Dahl imagined.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
One of the standout footwear styles presented by Dior was a mule with a dramatically oversized rosette embellishing the upper, coming in different colors including a pastel plaid.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
The spread of banchan—side dishes that fill out a traditional Korean meal—that surrounds the central grill serves as a choose-your-own-adventure map for perfectly embellishing your meats of choice.
—Irene Yoo
september 26, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
Inch by inch, the AI aids the person in embellishing the delusion.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
The sweater’s drop shoulder gives it a relaxed look, and the patch pockets on the pants are both practical and embellishing.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embellishing
Adjective
-
The men’s Western offering includes boots with inlays and decorative stitching on the shafts.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Owners are easily able to entertain groups of 10 or more in the corner living room, which also features a decorative ceiling display accented by a modern light fixture.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Allegations that are now spreading online could be misinterpreting records or exaggerating minor issues — or could be exposing actual fraudulent activity.—
Jude Joffe-Block,
NPR,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Studies have found that companies tend to buy cheap, low-quality carbon credits, which run a risk of exaggerating their carbon reduction claims or providing results that would have happened anyway, leaving no real climate benefit.—
Brian P. McCullough,
The Conversation,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Using light-emitting diode, or LED, holiday light strings will reduce the cost of decorating homes.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
23 Jan. 2026
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This three-piece, pre-strung garland set makes decorating quick and effortless.—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The cropped pants featured a dangling ornamental element at the hem, which swung above her shoes.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The Mellerio ruby tiara worn today by Queen Maxima of the Netherlands was not created as just another ornamental jewel, but as a piece designed to consolidate image, lineage and continuity within the House of Orange.—
Marta Martínez Tato,
Vanity Fair,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Rather than coloring them with a single hue, SZA, born Solána Imani Rowe, opted for a deep rose liner followed by a bubblegum pink lipstick and clear gloss.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Andie MacDowell stopped coloring her hair in 2020 and hasn’t looked back since.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The slim ankle strap kept the foot held in place, while adorning the bottom of the leg.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Finally, horsehair comprises the artistic element adorning the dash.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Netflix’s The Waterfront also centers around a small-town family running a failing fishing business and padding their pockets by helping cartels smuggle drugs using their fishing boats.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
18 Jan. 2026
-
Charlotte didn’t let up and resumed padding its lead.—
Janis Carr,
Oc Register,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Ariana Grande stunned in a dramatic black Vivienne Westwood Couture ball gown that featured draping velvet straps tied in bows at the shoulders.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The actress, 35, who's up for Best Supporting Actress for her work in One Battle After Another, wore a custom Schiaparelli floor-length gown complete with cutouts in the bodice and draping fabric for sartorial drama from all angles.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Embellishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embellishing. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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