1
as in ornaments
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
2
as in exaggerations
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 embellishments
Irving’s Anta logo also appears here along with a few smaller embellishments and rears its head again on the tongue.
—
Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 7 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
All the crystal and pearl embellishments were hand-sewn.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 5 Jan. 2026
Celebrity nail artist Thuy Nguyen, who counts Olivia Rodrigo and Lana Condor as clients, uses a deep mustard gold for a full-coverage nail look that doesn’t need any embellishments to shine.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2025
Known for their bold and glamorous designs, Gucci’s round gradient metal pair features oversized frames, logo embellishments and gradient lenses.
—Jené Luciani Sena, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Rebecca Vallance covers tailored bows with pearl embellishments on a range of adorable mini dresses.
—Fawnia Soo Hoo, Refinery29, 11 Apr. 2025
The embellishments helped the campaign hit fundraising thresholds needed to qualify for financial backing from the national Republican Party.
—Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2025
And while soccer cleats being paired with skirts and bow embellishments seems like another fad to come out of TikTok and Pinterest, this style's history and connection to the Latinx and Caribbean community is currently being written over as an internet trend.
—Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 7 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
All the crystal and pearl embellishments were hand-sewn.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 5 Jan. 2026
Celebrity nail artist Thuy Nguyen, who counts Olivia Rodrigo and Lana Condor as clients, uses a deep mustard gold for a full-coverage nail look that doesn’t need any embellishments to shine.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2025
Known for their bold and glamorous designs, Gucci’s round gradient metal pair features oversized frames, logo embellishments and gradient lenses.
—Jené Luciani Sena, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Rebecca Vallance covers tailored bows with pearl embellishments on a range of adorable mini dresses.
—Fawnia Soo Hoo, Refinery29, 11 Apr. 2025
The embellishments helped the campaign hit fundraising thresholds needed to qualify for financial backing from the national Republican Party.
—Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2025
And while soccer cleats being paired with skirts and bow embellishments seems like another fad to come out of TikTok and Pinterest, this style's history and connection to the Latinx and Caribbean community is currently being written over as an internet trend.
—Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embellishments
Noun
-
Christina Argonish, a full-time artisan who creates felt and clay ornaments says that high heat in attics during summers can weaken fibers, and moisture from humidity can encourage mildew.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
13 Jan. 2026
-
After the Eagles won the Super Bowl, a local barber, Tony Riley, crafted totes out of the banner that hung outside Lincoln Financial Field and a business in suburban Philly crafted Christmas tree ornaments out of old jerseys.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But that’s only fair, since wild exaggerations are exactly what music videos are all about.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
16 Nov. 2025
-
Too often, these nations assume such threats are bluffs or exaggerations because their own logic struggles to grasp that someone would be so blatant.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Colors take center stage, embedding references to the paintings and glasswork in European churches, the hues of the natural landscape in China’s Dunhuang county, as well as to the iconography and embroideries from the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern dynasties in ancient China.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
In Italy, Antonio Marras combined rugged denim with delicate lace and embroideries.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Enjoy lion dances, traditional music, acrobatics, local talent including K-Pop and folk performances, street food, a car exhibit, workshops including calligraphy, tea ceremony and creating decorations.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Paper Decorations and Christmas Cards Holiday cards and vintage or handmade paper decorations are ultra-fragile, says Argonish.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Some of the Catholic and Jewish characters are caricatures, too, but this anonymous ideologue is a bit too understated for someone wanting to conscript another into deadly service and could benefit from the absurdist flair Cash deploys elsewhere.—
Niela Orr,
Vulture,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Red velvet, dark wood accents, and walls lined with caricatures of Washington’s political elite—past and present—set the stage for a memorable experience, one that feels equal parts old-school power lounge and playful take on the city’s history.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The team also said the grave was unusual for its small circular shell beads, which served as personal adornments.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
29 Dec. 2025
-
It’s been a good couple years for adornments or accessories that amplify characterization.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
18 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Homeowners continue to seek more personalized enhancements that support both entertaining needs and everyday rituals.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Next, with the help of artificial colorings, flavorings, texturizers and glue-like emulsifiers, ingredients are mixed, heated, pounded, shaped or extruded into any food a manufacturer can dream up.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
14 Dec. 2025
-
Many also contain colorings and flavorings.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
9 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Embellishments.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embellishments. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
