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
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Recent Examples of embellishment
Carpenter's gold Louboutin pumps featured a round toe and a bow embellishment at the vamp.
—
Hannah Malach, InStyle, 19 Jan. 2026
Her fashion sense has become iconic in its own right, synonymous with maximalist country glam, complete with jeweled embellishments and massive wigs.
—Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
Not only might the clothing item be damaged, but the embellishments can get caught in the nooks and cranny of the dryer or snag other items.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026
Leggy palazzo jeans and denim trousers with distressing, embellishment, or a bold print will do the trick.
—Alison Syrett Cleary, Glamour, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for embellishment
Hannah Malach, InStyle, 19 Jan. 2026
Her fashion sense has become iconic in its own right, synonymous with maximalist country glam, complete with jeweled embellishments and massive wigs.
—Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
Not only might the clothing item be damaged, but the embellishments can get caught in the nooks and cranny of the dryer or snag other items.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026
Leggy palazzo jeans and denim trousers with distressing, embellishment, or a bold print will do the trick.
—Alison Syrett Cleary, Glamour, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for embellishment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embellishment
Noun
-
The elaborate beading ornamentation is a tribal tradition, now in decline as Westernization takes its toll on tribal communities who live in the vicinity of ever-expanding urban areas.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Buried amidst the ornamentation is a tiny frog on a skull that students look to for good luck.—
Rick Steves,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Speaking of which, the concept of royalty among members of PFV is no exaggeration, though some of the blue blood flowing through members’ veins is merely aristocratic.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
27 Dec. 2025
-
The deliberate exaggeration of both Lee’s performance and Park’s direction is what draws us into a suspension of moral disbelief, a sense of complicity with Man-su’s outrageous scheme.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
23 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
After removing ornaments and dusting your tree, go ahead and dismantle it.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The Four Freedoms Roosevelt named were not rhetorical ornaments offered as inspiration so much as a diagnosis.—
Philip Martin,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The music’s dizzying rhythmic variation is skillful and studied enough that its humor can’t be mistaken for gimmicky internet caricature.—
Rae-Aila Crumble,
Pitchfork,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Black people as laughingstock, caricature.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The edifice boasts an abundance of sculpted decoration, while its grand staircase echoes Michelangelo’s design for the Laurentian Library in Florence.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Throughout the home, there has been an obvious attention to detail and decoration.—
Helen I. Bennett,
Hartford Courant,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Artist Han Chao brings new life to vintage photographs and postcards by using hand embroidery.—
Alyson Rodriguez,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
-
In practice, that means 18th-century fabrics—enhanced by rich embroidery and patchwork—transformed into one-of-a-kind bags.—
Madeline Hirsch,
InStyle,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
When Christmas rolls around, her home can be found overflowing with cheerful Hobby Lobby finds, from red and green adornments to unique, oversized jingle bells.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The restaurateur’s identity is represented via cultural adornments, family photographs or artwork plastered along the walls.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Rafael Arechiga was charged with murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a deadly weapon.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office had charged Mangione with terrorism enhancements in order to justify a first-degree murder charge under state law, which could have been punished with a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Embellishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embellishment. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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