embellishment

noun

im-ˈbe-lish-mənt How to pronounce embellishment (audio)
Definition of embellishmentnext
1
as in ornamentation
something that decorates or beautifies a colorful mobile is just the embellishment that the soon-to-be nursery needs

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in exaggeration
the representation of something in terms that go beyond the facts the actor's penchant for embellishment suggests that his memoirs would be more appropriately shelved in the fiction section

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 embellishment Rooms Standard rooms are classic in look and feel with dark wood furniture and neutral fabrics, yet appointed with modern embellishments such as universal outlets and bedside light controls. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026 The smoothness of Knock Knock echoes through the rolling mid-tempo grooves of Stiltz’s unshowy arrangements, featuring drifting pedal steel from Theo Stocks and tasteful embellishments from Ana Roxanne on piano and vocals. — Harry Thorfinn-George, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026 The country music legend’s love for towering heels with sparkling embellishments and unapologetically feminine glamour became as recognizable as her voice over the years. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026 Maximalism made its comeback, as embellishments, graphic tees and structured bras dominated many of the buzziest offerings, pushing past seasons’ minimalist tilt to the wayside. — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for embellishment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embellishment
  1. ornamentation
  2. exaggeration
  3. ornament
  4. caricature
  5. decoration
  6. embroidery
  7. adornment
  8. enhancement
Noun
  • The cotton canvas jacket offers a very simple silhouette with little to no ornamentation—perfect for a minimalist wardrobe.
    — Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 29 Oct. 2026
  • City train stations were filled with decorative ornamentation, public art and monuments, and other luxurious touches.
    — James Folta, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of ornamentation
Noun
  • The students maintain that the conversations consisted largely of deliberately provocative jokes, internet memes and political exaggerations that were never intended as genuine threats.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Maybe not laugh-out-loud humor, though that’s there, but other forms of humor like wit, deadpan, understatement, exaggeration, recognition, irony.
    — Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of exaggeration
Noun
  • However, since the ornament is entered into a holiday gift exchange rather than gifted with proper intention, Tanya suddenly finds herself on the receiving end of everyone else’s misfortune.
    — Rachel LaBonte, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026
  • If a holiday carol stopped you cold in the grocery store this week, or if hanging a single ornament brought you to tears, nothing is wrong with you.
    — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of ornament
Noun
  • But on that score, too, Jackson tries to soften the caricature of the billionaire executive.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • What is acceptable in today’s society is the Real Housewives franchise, where all of these things kind of play out, but almost in caricature.
    — Raymond Ang, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of caricature
Noun
  • Think over-sized kitchens with dark cabinetry, granite countertops, artificial grapes and many, many rooster decorations.
    — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The family spent approximately $1,500 on dirt and ballfield materials and another $500 on indoor decorations, bringing the total for those elements to around $2,000.
    — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of decoration
Noun
  • Watts and Nash-Betts also embraced the LBD—Watts in a sleek tea-length Mugler strapless dress outfitted with the house’s signature sharp neckline, Nash-Betts in a theatrical hooded LouBe dress finished with gold embroidery.
    — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2026
  • For that event, Camilla again wore Anna Valentine—this time a white dress with gold embroidery.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of embroidery
Noun
  • By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, architects such as Antoni Gaudí began studying skeletal anatomy not merely for adornment, but as the actual framework for buildings.
    — Livia Caligor, Architectural Digest, 30 Oct. 2026
  • For something that can transition beyond the office, choose a medium-size option with subtle adornment.
    — Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of adornment
Noun
  • Last year, the city stopped repaving streets for eight months as officials struggled with staffing shortages to meet federal requirements to construct curb ramps for wheelchairs and new city rules that mandate bike, bus and pedestrian enhancements.
    — Jenny Jarvie Follow, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
  • By the late nineteenth century, the name Bell and the practice of elocution—the professional enhancement of the voice—had become close to synonymous.
    — Cal Revely-Calder, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of enhancement

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embellishing
embellishment
embellishments
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Cite this Entry

“Embellishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embellishment. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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