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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of embellishing
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Like the pharaohs and emperors of antiquity, the president weaponizes the past to justify his present actions and future plans, omitting and embellishing events of yesteryear to fit a bellicose agenda.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
Many arias from the 1800s include repeated verses to give the singers the opportunity to show off their coloratura skills by embellishing the sections of the songs the second time around.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Like the pharaohs and emperors of antiquity, the president weaponizes the past to justify his present actions and future plans, omitting and embellishing events of yesteryear to fit a bellicose agenda.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embellishing
Adjective
-
The kené art in the cabins aren’t just decorative details—they’re a testament to the cultural traditions of the Shipibo-Konibo community that the artist Deysi Ramírez belongs to.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
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All were active in Los Angeles — Williams, for instance, was a pivotal designer on the LAX Theme Building — and Smith interlaces decorative flourishes in varying styles that twist around one another to work up the Legacy Tower’s pointed spheres.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Christopher Carnahan, a Los Angeles police officer who was accused of skydiving and working out while also collecting disability benefits by exaggerating an on-duty work injury, was charged with two counts of felony insurance fraud, prosecutors said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Feb. 2026
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Historically, some doctors have dismissed these differences as women exaggerating their pain or being unable to tolerate the same discomfort as men.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The iconic cherry trees decorating the nation’s capital will hit peak bloom between March 29 and April 1, the National Park Service predicted Thursday.—
Kendall Staton,
Washington Post,
5 Mar. 2026
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But Michaels’ latest expansion will truly cement the brand’s status as a one-stop shop for every occasion, from decorating to gifting.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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His designs drew heavily from 17th-19th century French and Italian architecture, using symmetry, boiserie, ornamental plasterwork and stone detailing, and bringing an authentic sense of heritage to any space.—
Jennifer Baum Lagdameo,
Architectural Digest,
10 Mar. 2026
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Pre-emergents are also less problematic to use than post-emergent weed killers that can accidentally kill desirable ornamental plants, grasses, and vegetables.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As someone who’s spent half her life coloring her hair–from bleach blonde to cherry red–I’m well acquainted with both the thrill and the responsibility that comes with a new shade.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
5 Mar. 2026
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The chromium in the pan can react to high temperatures, leading to rainbow coloring on stainless steel.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The rooms The rooms carry the InterContinental’s signature sleek aesthetic, featuring warm wood, gold and cream accents, elegant reading lamps, and modern art adorning the walls.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 Mar. 2026
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The largest item found at the Boise tattoo shop is the rocket adorning the teal-and-black building’s roof.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Or, this versatile, lightweight neck pillow from Trtl is much less bulky than your average option but still provides support by keeping your neck upright while padding it.—
Kristin Braswell,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
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But what Mom noticed most were the thoughtful touches—yoga mats in the closet, dogs padding through the lobby of this pet-friendly property, bikes ready for guests to explore.—
Lisa A. Beach,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Then Shep leaps into bed with Austen, practically spooning him and draping his legs over the big muppet.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
5 Mar. 2026
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With springtime nearing, the promise of draping yourself in breezier attire is becoming more enticing — especially after such a long, cold winter.—
Rudolf Obias,
Footwear News,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Embellishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embellishing. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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