as in ornamentation
decoration that consists of delicate and complicated designs made of fine gold or silver wire
a surface decorated with filigree and pearls
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as in to ribbon
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of filigree
Pete Wells, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024
For all of the science-fiction filigree, the thrust of the series is emotional — especially, though not entirely, as regards Jo and Alice, who don’t quite recognize each other, and the family drama that Magnus completes.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2024
Alex Davies, WIRED, 19 Aug. 2019
In contrast to the historic skyscraper’s filigreed crown of flying buttresses and pinnacles, the top of the new one would consist of curving glass walls extending beyond the building’s occupied floors.
—Blair Kamin and Ryan Ori, chicagotribune.com, 16 Apr. 2018
See All Example Sentences for filigree
Noun
There were filigrees of wildflowers, mysterious little tuna-belly creatures with mustard-seed eyes and microgreen antennae, and something that looked like a slice of black truffle but melted like butter.
—Pete Wells, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024
For all of the science-fiction filigree, the thrust of the series is emotional — especially, though not entirely, as regards Jo and Alice, who don’t quite recognize each other, and the family drama that Magnus completes.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2024
Verb
Another helpful move was using what Bugatti calls filigree side view mirrors, which let air pass through them.
—Alex Davies, WIRED, 19 Aug. 2019
In contrast to the historic skyscraper’s filigreed crown of flying buttresses and pinnacles, the top of the new one would consist of curving glass walls extending beyond the building’s occupied floors.
—Blair Kamin and Ryan Ori, chicagotribune.com, 16 Apr. 2018
See All Example Sentences for filigree
Recent Examples of Synonyms for filigree
Noun
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Across the 20th century, a constellation of Black intellectuals and artists approached fashion not merely as ornamentation but as ontology.—
Achille Tenkiang,
Vogue,
24 Apr. 2025
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This shift into ornamentation seems like a natural progression, particularly for Black designers as the Black home is rich in history, aesthetics, and storytelling.—
Kerane Marcellus,
Essence,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Here’s a peek at the new flavors and some of the ingredients that inspired them: Lemon curd & whey This light and citrusy flavor uses whey as a substitute for lemon juice to make lemon curd that ribbons throughout the ice cream base.—
oregonlive,
oregonlive,
24 May 2023
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Introduce the color in small doses: a throw on the couch, ribbon on a wreath, trim around a lampshade, or even gift wrap on the packages.—
Savanna Bous,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Nov. 2022
Noun
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Also unveiled are floral ornaments and garlands that haven’t been visible for decades: the result is a grand, wedding-cake-like aesthetic. Inside the building, meanwhile, the grand lobby features restored leaded glass and marble panels; while wooden desks and booths hark back to the 1920s roots.—
Angelina Villa-Clarke,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
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Idiomatic ornaments enlivened the repeat sections; these had a particularly exhilarating impact in Variation 5, amid sixteenth notes of already breathtaking effortlessness.—
Alex Ross,
The New Yorker,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Jones and more than 900 members of his Peoples Temple died in a murder-suicide by drinking Flavor Aid (not, as has become the saying, Kool-Aid) laced with cyanide at Jonestown in 1978.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
23 Apr. 2025
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Nearly 4,600 Bay Staters laced up, racing through the eight cities and towns that make up the course.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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To make, follow these steps: Fill small paper plates or bowls with glitter and sequins.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
16 Apr. 2025
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See the Best Photos of the Hollywood Heartthrob Over the Years 04 of 14 'The Great Gatsby' Broadway Musical The lavish parties and glitter of Gatsby’s world are perfect for a Broadway musical, and the production directed by Marc Brunidoes does not disappoint.—
Danielle Teller,
People.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Macron’s glam featured her blond hair styled with a voluminous coif and fringe to frame her face.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
8 Apr. 2025
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There are a lot of subject areas where a search shouldn't return a broad range of information—where grabbing a range of ideas would expose people to fringe and false information.—
John Timmer,
Ars Technica,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Growing up in upstate New York, they were kept busy at home by their mother, Ruth, with a variety of activities that included crocheting, knitting, doing embroidery, building walls, planting trees and even beekeeping.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2025
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These days, a pair of jeans with embroidery or a unique wash can easily run you $300 or more, but Cider offers options with cool cutouts, bold colors, and on-trend details for under $100.—
Robyn Merrett,
StyleCaster,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The ownership ranks were garlanded by a phalanx of Bollywood stars and cricketing legends.—
Rory Smith,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
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Warwick Davis, the British actor who has played various roles in the Star Wars franchise, got a tribute from Luke Skywalker himself as he was garlanded with BAFTA’s highest honor.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
16 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Filigree.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/filigree. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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