EMBELLISHMENT Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

embellishment

noun

im-ˈbe-lish-mənt

Definition of embellishment

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

In another effort to pay homage to her heritage, Osaka’s Wimbledon attire was a ceremonial Japanese dress with billowing long sleeves, ornate embroidery and a ruffled skirt.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026
The embroidery follows Apple’s use of stop-motion animation campaigns for the Mac mini and Apple Games, which also followed the route of showing the humans at work behind the animation.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 15 Oct. 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

By adjusting the distance between the tips, the team could stretch or compress the molecular structure, changing the voltage at which the current enhancement began.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
In some of the advertisements during this election cycle, AI was used for aesthetic enhancements, such as improving image quality or dramatizing events in the candidate’s life.

— Anagilmara Vílchez, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of enhancement

Browse Nearby Words

embellishing

embellishment

embellishments

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Embellishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embellishment. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of embellishment

noun

Example Sentences

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