LOVELY Synonyms: 286 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

lovely 1 of 2

adjective

ˈləv-lē

Definition of lovely next

as in wonderful

of the very best kind thanked their hosts for the lovely time they had at the party

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in beautiful

very pleasing to look at a lovely painting of young girls in their summer dresses

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lovely

2 of 2

noun

as in stunner

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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

How does the adjective lovely differ from other similar words?

a lovely melody

When could beautiful be used to replace lovely?

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 dinner was lovely, and everyone complimented the table and chairs. —

Barton Goldsmith, AJC.com, 3 Mar. 2026 Handwritten welcome notes on the bed are another lovely touch. —

Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Mar. 2026

Noun

The first flowering of the reblooming variety of these perennial lovelies is in June. —

Erynn Hassinger, Country Living, 22 Apr. 2023 No, Colin Frissell hooking up with the three lovelies in Wisconsin. —

Kyle Smith, National Review, 10 Dec. 2019 See All Example Sentences for lovely

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lovely

Adjective

The state should leave well enough alone and let the Connecticut homeschool community educate their children in many wonderful ways.

— Nicholas Tampio, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2026
Another wonderful spot is McIntire Park, especially the Dogwood Vietnam Memorial section.

— Abby Price, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026

Definition of wonderful

Browse Nearby Words

loveliness

lovely

lovemaking

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Cite this Entry

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“Lovely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lovely. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.

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Last Updated: 12 Mar 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of lovely

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