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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
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
Noun
Shop In Uptown Put your plastic to good use by patronizing Uptown’s lovely community of small businesses. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2025 There's some lovely language around it. Belinda Luscombe, Time, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lovely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lovely
Adjective
  • But if Julia’s delivery of her first child is about as wonderful as pushing a human out of your body can get — even the lighting is dreamy — her second child’s delivery is the exact opposite.
    Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Morticia has this wonderful lighter look into the world as opposed to Wednesday.
    Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Kids love the beaches and castles, while grandparents enjoy the relaxed pace and beautiful landscapes.
    Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Like the blind father, the country is desperately trying to overcome its past and disadvantages, in pursuit of a more beautiful future — but that pursuit almost necessarily entails a brittle form of pride, which leads to various injustices along the way.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Hillside Oak, a bright four-bedroom, four-bathroom house, and the Eliot Noyes, a four-bedroom midcentury stunner with a pool, can both be booked through Marriott Bonvoy.
    Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The latest Boot Bowl, played Friday, was a stunner.
    Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • But on a day when Mizzou amassed 595 total yards, converted 4 of 5 fourth downs and got an excellent effort from first-year starting quarterback Beau Pribula, surrendering possession had to fill Kansas followers with a sense of dread.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The openings can keep your feet cool or give you an excellent way to show off some eye-catching socks once the weather get cooler.
    Isis Briones, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • For more gorgeous pieces from the MacKenzie-Childs sale, check out our top picks below with everything from shimmery vanity trays to vibrant kitchenware, floral rugs, patterned furniture, and wall decor.
    Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The film is gorgeous, with a color grade that reminded me of how Nicholas Ray movies looked on a CRT.
    Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Get an eyeful of Davidson on The Tonight Show in the interview above.
    Shania Russell, EW.com, 23 July 2025
  • Alternatively, get an eyeful of the Leake Street Arches—aka the London Graffiti tunnel—beneath Waterloo Station, and pop out on Lower Marsh, with its centuries-old street market and proper Lambeth vibe.
    Emma John, AFAR Media, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • Trailing varieties make a fabulous addition to fall containers, providing cool contrast to more fiery fall blooms.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Indeed, the spot had more than a few fabulous amenities, particularly the plumbing.
    Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Ofeefan Long-Sleeve A-Line Ribbed-Knit Mini Dress This mini sweater dress would look cute with a cropped leather jacket and coordinating knee-high boots.
    Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Ouligay Period Bag My teen and her friends always make sure to keep their period stashes organized in one cute pouch like this black one.
    Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lovely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lovely. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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