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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The only narrative novelty is how audaciously cruel the movie is to kids.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
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There are thousands of different novelties, knick-knacks and souvenirs here.—
John Lauritsen,
CBS News,
11 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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Small knickknacks, like salt and pepper shakers, can be cute, but thrifting experts recommend against buying them at garage sales.—
Heather Bien,
Martha Stewart,
7 June 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 15 Jun. 2026.
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