as in decorative
serving to add beauty
the trim on Victorian houses is sometimes elaborately ornamental
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in ornament
a small object displayed for its attractiveness or interest
a collection of fragile ornamentals kept in a glass cabinet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ornamental
Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 May 2026
An ornamental collection can glide along a wall or above a shelf.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 25 May 2026
News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
Mix edible plants with ornamentals There’s no rule that says your decorative containers can’t also be productive.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ornamental
Adjective
To-Do Checklist Stop fertilizing woody shrubs and ornamental trees at the end of the month to allow new growth to harden off before fall weather.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 May 2026
An ornamental collection can glide along a wall or above a shelf.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 25 May 2026
Noun
Featuring four miles of trails, SDBG has the largest public bamboo collection in North America; gardens representing different regions and flora of the world; and demonstration gardens showcasing fruits and vegetables, water-smart ornamentals, and native plants.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
Mix edible plants with ornamentals There’s no rule that says your decorative containers can’t also be productive.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ornamental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ornamental
Adjective
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During the pandemic, Gary called in a team of decorative artists to repair the damage of time.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
-
Days later, everyone sitting around the table would be found dead in a home in nearby Rancho Santa Fe, a secluded, wealthy part of San Diego otherwise known for decorative citrus orchards, horse stables, and its elite country club.—
Savannah Walsh,
Vanity Fair,
8 June 2026
Noun
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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
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Since anybody recalled, the gate had been topped with decorative ornaments.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
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These six destinations stand out because street food isn’t a novelty there — it’s woven into daily life.—
Lauren Schuster,
Charlotte Observer,
4 June 2026
-
Another novelty performer attempted to play songs using vegetables.—
Deirdre Durkan,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
Noun
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If someone was caught, and murdered, scraps of their body were circulated as souvenirs and passed down through generations of white families as heirlooms.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
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The village boutiques scattered along the sloping cobblestone alleys are just a five-minute stroll away, and offer the standard unremarkable Provence souvenirs—traditional fabrics, yellow pottery, straw bags, and sweet-smelling soaps.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
Noun
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Nearby Lost Art Jewelry sells handmade baubles by a master goldsmith.—
Shilo Urban,
Travel + Leisure,
19 May 2026
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This is her 12-carat Ceylon sapphire, surrounded by 14 round diamonds on a platinum band—a bauble formerly owned by her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.—
Erin Vanderhoof,
Vanity Fair,
15 May 2026
Noun
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From furniture to vases to kitchen bowls to knickknacks, vintage goods are interior design treasures, and their quality often holds up longer than new purchases.—
Wendy Rose Gould,
Martha Stewart,
16 May 2026
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In Lincolnwood, Ritu Uppal, the 60-year-old owner of a knickknack and home decor store, wishes decisionmakers would prioritize people who depend on malls more, rather than treat closures as business transactions.—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
Noun
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On the other hand, a collection of small trinkets will also make your table seem disjointed and messy.—
Lauren Jones,
Southern Living,
8 June 2026
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As impeccably decorated as the Victorian property that houses it, the pub is packed with antiques and travel trinkets.—
Kira Turnbull,
Travel + Leisure,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ornamental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ornamental. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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