ornament 1 of 2

Definition of ornamentnext

ornament

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ornament different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of ornament are adorn, beautify, deck, decorate, embellish, and garnish. While all these words mean "to enhance the appearance of something by adding something unessential," ornament and embellish imply the adding of something extraneous, ornament stressing the heightening or setting off of the original.

a white house ornamented with green shutters

When is it sensible to use adorn instead of ornament?

The synonyms adorn and ornament are sometimes interchangeable, but adorn implies an enhancing by something beautiful in itself.

a diamond necklace adorned her neck

How are the words beautify and embellish related as synonyms of ornament?

Beautify adds to embellish a suggestion of counterbalancing plainness or ugliness.

will beautify the grounds with flower beds

When might deck be a better fit than ornament?

In some situations, the words deck and ornament are roughly equivalent. However, deck implies the addition of something that contributes to gaiety, splendor, or showiness.

a house all decked out for Christmas

In what contexts can decorate take the place of ornament?

While in some cases nearly identical to ornament, decorate suggests relieving plainness or monotony by adding beauty of color or design.

decorate a birthday cake

When can embellish be used instead of ornament?

The words embellish and ornament are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, embellish often stresses the adding of superfluous or adventitious ornament.

embellish a page with floral borders

Where would garnish be a reasonable alternative to ornament?

Although the words garnish and ornament have much in common, garnish suggests decorating with a small final touch and is used especially in referring to the serving of food.

an entrée garnished with parsley

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 ornament
Noun
A lot of ornaments and tinsel on the Christmas tree. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026 But early last Saturday evening, two bullets shattered the glass between displays of Christmas ornaments and dining plates. Matt Viser, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026
Verb
Train cars will be ornamented with holiday lights and decorations. Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Dec. 2025 Overblown, ostentatious hybrids of classical and local styles, kitschily ornamented with classical detail, all on a scale meant to be overwhelming rather than inviting—that’s what Big Brother’s city hall always looks like. Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ornament
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ornament
Noun
  • People in costumes marched alongside floats with advertisements and extravagantly patriotic decorations.
    Nolan Rogalski, The Providence Journal, 5 July 2026
  • On Monday, June 29, multiple trucks were spotted outside the famous arena with workers loading equipment, grass and other decorations inside.
    Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • In fact, decorating your cubicle versus your laptop screen, might just be the way to move your career forward.
    Colleen Batchelder, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • For the little ones, bring their bike, wagon, scooter or stroller to decorate before taking a Liberty Lap through the park.
    Lesly Gregory, AJC.com, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • The rear fenders are muscular without being bulky, and the tail has a clean, modern appearance that avoids excessive ornamentation.
    Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Scenes from the Old and New Testaments unfold across its length, set within an elaborate decorative scheme inspired by Roman ornamentation.
    Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • He was surrounded by beige pleather armchairs gathered around low tables adorned with silk flowers.
    Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • While male figures adorn the bills, recent years have seen the signatures of powerful women like Janet Yellen, Lynn Malerba, Azie Taylor Morton, and Rosa Gumataotao Rios quietly circulate on trillions of dollars.
    Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Noun
  • Doechii’s version included contrasting brown and gold reptilian-print material as well as beads, sequins and tassel adornment.
    Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 28 June 2026
  • When Christmas rolls around, her home can be found overflowing with cheerful Hobby Lobby finds, from red and green adornments to unique, oversized jingle bells.
    Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 27 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ornament.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ornament. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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