Definition of lovelynext
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lovely

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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
Just like lily of the valley, Canada mayflower has low-growing foliage and lovely white flowers. Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 20 July 2026 Games that didn’t get the largest audience, but made for a lovely entertainment anyway. Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Noun
In an early scene, poor Christian attends a dating event, having gamed the system, with his perfect numerical logic, so that all the potential lovelies are lined up at his table. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 24 Apr. 2025 Serve these layered lovelies in old-fashioned glasses to make the treat extra special. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2023 See All Example Sentences for lovely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lovely
Adjective
  • And this World Cup was about Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and all of Spain’s wonderful passers.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • To be in, like, the very first episode to the last, a show that is now being spun off to other stories, that is so wonderful.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 22 July 2026
Adjective
  • Characters like his kindly uncle, Ser Gwayne (Freddie Fox), and his beautiful dragon, Tessarion, see the real Daeron.
    Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 27 July 2026
  • Appellation Lodi Julie Scopazzi, former marketing manager at Testarossa in Los Gatos, had been telling me about the beautiful transformation of Appellation Lodi, with its gorgeous territorial architecture and colorful gardens.
    Laura Ness, Mercury News, 26 July 2026
Noun
  • All of that makes LeBron saying no to Miami a stunner, a real slap.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
  • In September 2025 Roki delivered a new level of luxury to Queenstown with this stunner of an all-suite hotel overlooking Lake Wakatipu and the Southern Alps, just two minutes from town.
    Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 23 July 2026
Adjective
  • Edoya, where brushes have been made by hand since 1718, is around the corner, and Nexpect, an excellent specialty coffee shop, is a short walk away.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026
  • Namely stage 13 when the race split into pieces, Tom Pidcock climbed back up the GC, Pedersen had to make a desperate attempt to reach Philipsen up the road to defend green, and the excellent Mauro Schmid got the victory his talent deserves.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Adjective
  • The animation styles, varying from episode to episode, are all dynamic and gorgeous, paying homage to both a classic anime style and Star Wars‘ own more wry feeling.
    Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 26 July 2026
  • Appellation Lodi Julie Scopazzi, former marketing manager at Testarossa in Los Gatos, had been telling me about the beautiful transformation of Appellation Lodi, with its gorgeous territorial architecture and colorful gardens.
    Laura Ness, Mercury News, 26 July 2026
Noun
  • Awards recognized visual artists, hip-hop performers, nonprofit organizations, vocalists, business owners, educators, fitness professionals, beauty industry workers and community advocates.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
  • Less flashy than the other two, the beauty of having a drink here is the craft.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026
Adjective
  • My editor Lori and I have been eyeing the sparse market for fabulous toilets since March, but found none so ornate as these Mexican-style pieces.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 22 July 2026
  • Of all the fabulous sideline styles, my favorite was, by far, an iconic matching moment between Martha Stewart and Victoria Beckham.
    Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 21 July 2026
Adjective
  • Team them with a blouse and supportive flats for a cute vacation outfit.
    Aashna Gheewalla, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026
  • Sugar tries to escape the violent path before him by going on a cute movie date with Charlotte.
    Andy Andersen, Vulture, 24 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Lovely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lovely. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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