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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective lovely differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lovely are beautiful, comely, fair, handsome, and pretty. While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," lovely is close to beautiful but applies to a narrower range of emotional excitation in suggesting the graceful, delicate, or exquisite.

a lovely melody

When could beautiful be used to replace lovely?

The words beautiful and lovely are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses.

beautiful mountain scenery

How are the words comely and handsome related as synonyms of lovely?

Comely is like handsome in suggesting what is coolly approved rather than emotionally responded to.

the comely grace of a dancer

When is fair a more appropriate choice than lovely?

In some situations, the words fair and lovely are roughly equivalent. However, fair suggests beauty because of purity, flawlessness, or freshness.

fair of face

When would handsome be a good substitute for lovely?

While in some cases nearly identical to lovely, handsome suggests aesthetic pleasure due to proportion, symmetry, or elegance.

a handsome Georgian mansion

When is it sensible to use pretty instead of lovely?

Although the words pretty and lovely have much in common, pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness.

a painter of conventionally pretty scenes

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 lovely
Adjective
The gold nail art also picked up the same tone in her jewelry and looked lovely against her raspberry pink gown. Kara Nesvig, Allure, 25 Apr. 2025 Plus, the warm, amber-y perfume-like scent was lovely. Malia Griggs, Glamour, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
No, Colin Frissell hooking up with the three lovelies in Wisconsin. Kyle Smith, National Review, 10 Dec. 2019 The vegetables: Along with the summer lovelies mentioned above, some people get all crazy and put mushrooms in their ratatouille. James P. Dewan, chicagotribune.com, 13 Aug. 2019 See All Example Sentences for lovely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lovely
Adjective
  • There’s the potential to still reach 94 points, which might not quite have the same sheen to it as the 99 points achieved by Liverpool’s last title-winning side in 2019-20 but should still be recognised as a wonderful achievement.
    Gregg Evans, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Katy Perry reportedly sang ‘Its a wonderful world,’ Gayle King beamed in zero gravity, as Lauren Sánchez—pilot, philanthropist, and Jeff Bezos’s fiancée, led Blue Origin’s first all-female crew to the edge of space.
    Gemma Allen, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • While scented candles are ubiquitous in the world of home fragrance, the best reed diffusers bring just as beautiful of an ambiance to your space.
    Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 28 Apr. 2025
  • What technologies can be employed to make beautiful, lightweight, yet resilient gold jewelry?
    Kyle Roderick, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • On March 20, the storied Parisian department store Printemps (that’s French for spring) debuted its new Manhattan flagship, a 55,000-square-foot stunner spread across two Financial District buildings—one a historic Art Deco bank, the other a 1960s glass office tower.
    Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 17 Apr. 2025
  • He’s delivered stunners including comet views, a sparkling image of the Milky Way and dramatic aurora timelapses.
    Amanda Kooser, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • At a minimum, professionals are looking for dependable inventory, top-quality and professional-grade equipment, effortless trade-ins, excellent customer service and reliable and fast repairs.
    Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Incorporating a mudroom into your home is an excellent way to add value to your space.
    Sarah Lyon, Architectural Digest, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Check out the indoor and outdoor spas after your hike up Bartlett Mountain or regain your energy with a BBQ feast on the gorgeous two-story outdoor terrace.
    Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Also make sure to stop in at the A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery, which features gorgeous Florida landscapes by native son A.E.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The filmmakers ensure that viewers similar in age to the kids on screen get an eyeful of what those robotics gatherings are like for their contestants, who arrive from all over the globe.
    Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Overall, Printemps New York is a multifaceted, visual eyeful, where the architecture and decor might overwhelm the merchandise for some.
    David Moin, WWD, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • All of this means it’s been a fabulous week for stargazing.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Most of these are in the genus Echeveria, and there is an almost endless assortment of fabulous shapes, colors, and growth forms.
    Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Save on breezy skirts, cute jeans, and stretchy yoga pants that are ideal for travel.
    Isabel Garcia, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • While there’s no doubt the videos feature cute little ones and are intended just for laughs, mental health professionals say what some parents view as harmless fun may actually be affecting children in unplanned ways.
    Melissa Willets, Parents, 23 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lovely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lovely. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

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