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
Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
The restricted activities would include running ornamental fountains, noncommercial pressure washing and car washing, among several others.
—Drew Kann, AJC.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Apr. 2026
Voles are herbivores that cause garden damage by eating plant materials such as flowers, ornamentals, bulbs, and the bark of trees.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ornamental
Adjective
How absurd, indeed, to imagine wild birds giving time like the mechanical songsters on an ornamental clock.
—Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
The restricted activities would include running ornamental fountains, noncommercial pressure washing and car washing, among several others.
—Drew Kann, AJC.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
While there are more than 50 species of junipers, less than a dozen are grown as ornamentals.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Apr. 2026
Voles are herbivores that cause garden damage by eating plant materials such as flowers, ornamentals, bulbs, and the bark of trees.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ornamental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ornamental
Adjective
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Interiors by Studio Architetto Mar, balance historic character with refined updates, highlighted by two reception rooms, a formal dining room, and a spacious chef’s kitchen dressed in decorative wallpaper.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
28 Apr. 2026
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The best luxury bath towels also feature decorative accents like embroidery and monogramming to elevate your washroom’s aesthetic.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Attenborough communicated with the tribe using gestures, looked at their personal ornaments and enquired about the pegs in the ritual punctures in the nose of one of the men.—
Amarachi Orie,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
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When kuru’s vocals get more monotone, Backstage hologram ornaments the toplines with gorgeous digital keyboard parts that reference the crusty, low-res soundtracks of Nintendo DS-era RPGs like Pokemon Diamond & Pearl.—
Jude Noel,
Pitchfork,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That broad appeal is part of why NeeDohs have crossed over from a kids’ aisle novelty into a wider audience of teens, students and adults looking for something to fidget with at a desk or during stressful moments.—
Samantha Agate,
Sacbee.com,
6 May 2026
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Why Adults Are Reaching for Stress Relief Toys The appeal is not just novelty.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 May 2026
Noun
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Recently, Citizens Bank Park and the Phillies rolled out their new dugout cooler cups, a powder blue and maroon beverage cup that fans were excited to use for cocktails and specialty drinks and take home with them as a souvenir after sipping at the park.—
Kaitlyn McCormick,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
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For the capsule, Serre added signature elements of her brand to the Mona Lisa, using her signature upcycling methods and reworking existing Louvre museum shop merchandise, such as T-shirts and souvenir medals, into new garments and objects.—
Renan Botelho,
Footwear News,
8 May 2026
Noun
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Patricia Field, in her wisdom, suggests the distinction scarcely matters, but Andy’s baubles were Chanel, Chanel.—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
28 Apr. 2026
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The princess received both baubles as a wedding present from her father, who inherited them as part of the royal collection.—
Nicole Briese,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
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Add a natural wood or wicker coffee table to the living room, or stack some stone knickknacks on a side table.—
Kylie Petty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Now in the mid-2020s, the pop remix album is not a stopgap or trinket but a steppingstone to wider renown.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
4 May 2026
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Provincial Bavarian and British ethno-sentimental varieties come easily to mind, and in the twenty-first century, American exports of material culture will likely be overtaken worldwide by Chinese trinkets in the style of Temu-Rococo.—
Olivia Kan-Sperling,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ornamental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ornamental. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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