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
As sociologist Mustapha Hashim Kurfi writes, in Hausa communities of northern Nigeria, calligraphy is deeply valued both as part of Islamic scholarship and as gorgeous embellishment for everything from building walls to horse blankets.
—
Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 14 Sep. 2025
These embellishments were carved or molded to reflect artisanal motifs once popular in the south of France, with imagery like olive branches, lavender flowers, grapes, and cicadas.
—Adrian Madlener, Curbed, 13 Sep. 2025
The silhouette of the dress was very traditional, but the embellishments were on the more playful side and included large rosettes and wax flowers.
—Ariana Quihuiz, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
Martin's story is indeed pretty remarkable without embellishment.
—Esther Zuckerman, Time, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for embellishment
Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 14 Sep. 2025
These embellishments were carved or molded to reflect artisanal motifs once popular in the south of France, with imagery like olive branches, lavender flowers, grapes, and cicadas.
—Adrian Madlener, Curbed, 13 Sep. 2025
The silhouette of the dress was very traditional, but the embellishments were on the more playful side and included large rosettes and wax flowers.
—Ariana Quihuiz, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
Martin's story is indeed pretty remarkable without embellishment.
—Esther Zuckerman, Time, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for embellishment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embellishment
Noun
-
Around her neck, a rope of heavy onyx beads provided practical ornamentation.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Sep. 2025
-
It was mostly composed of only one skull bone instead of the two bones seen in later species and largely lacked the knobby horns that other pachycephalosaurs had as ornamentation.—
Jack Tamisiea,
Scientific American,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
What could have been a slapdash dish in lesser hands was, at the risk of exaggeration and without question, one of my favorite bites of the year.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
22 Sep. 2025
-
On the other hand, others are claiming that the fanfare is an exaggeration and are calling for fans to calm down.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Sew letters, stars, and shapes to hang on your tree, making sure to stuff the ornaments with cotton before sewing them closed to give a 3-D look.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Sep. 2025
-
At Christmas, beginning at Thanksgiving, the restaurant became a landscape of shimmering presents, trees and ornaments.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
By drawing his understanding of the king principally from Harvey’s travelogue, and likely a string of others produced in the English-speaking world, Welles ended up making his career promoting what was merely another caricature of an actual person, a historical figure, and an important one at that.—
Marlene L. Daut
September 22,
Literary Hub,
22 Sep. 2025
-
There will also be a caricature artist, a high value raffle and a rooftop afterparty.—
Caroline Ritzie,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
21 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Checking out the over-the-top decorations on homes and businesses is all part of the fun.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
28 Sep. 2025
-
The center is accepting donations of candy, toys and decorations leading up to the event.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
To construct the blush pink gown, Okunlola used chantilly lace under the tulle and hand-beaded the embroidery details.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The white jacket coordinated with high-waist, wide-leg trousers, both of which featured a textural fabric with ornate embroidery.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Before the presentation, MAC Cosmetics’ lead makeup artist told WWD the makeup was inspired by Taíno culture in the Dominican Republic, with sequin wing adornments made to look like eyewear, feather lashes and foil lips.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The cake is quick to whip up and requires no icing or adornment.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Russ steals some latex molds from his movie makeup artist father and transforms himself into Chad with a shaggy wig, a mustache, buck teeth and chin, lip and nose enhancements.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
-
The aesthetic adhered to the made-to-look effortless approach sweeping fashion season now, in which products are used for natural enhancements only, and hairstyling is kept to a minimum.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Embellishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embellishment. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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