as in novelties
a small object displayed for its attractiveness or interest
a collection of fragile ornamentals kept in a glass cabinet
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of ornamentals
Unlike ornamentals, which generally all go into the ground around Mother’s Day, vegetable crops have a specific planting window for success.
—
Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026
Opting for native plants over exotic ornamentals is more practical and beneficial.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 25 Feb. 2026
Foliage of some of the most common garden ornamentals will last up to a year or more in dry arrangements.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 21 Feb. 2026
The beds are planted with a mix of edibles and ornamentals that can be enjoyed from the sitting area.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Feb. 2026
Update ornamentals This is THE time of year to add new plants to your garden — or plant a completely new garden.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Dec. 2025
Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026
Opting for native plants over exotic ornamentals is more practical and beneficial.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 25 Feb. 2026
Foliage of some of the most common garden ornamentals will last up to a year or more in dry arrangements.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 21 Feb. 2026
The beds are planted with a mix of edibles and ornamentals that can be enjoyed from the sitting area.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Feb. 2026
Update ornamentals This is THE time of year to add new plants to your garden — or plant a completely new garden.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ornamentals
Noun
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Best Shopping Desert General Store Zuchowicki and his wife Françoise Lazard curate a selection of clothing, jewelry, souvenirs, novelties, and books at Desert General Store, importing items from around the world.—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Feb. 2026
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Sumo is both sport and spectacle, a pageantry of difference celebrating novelties like Ozora Buzaemon, who competed in just one tournament in March 1827 but became a national sensation owing to his extraordinary height of more than seven feet.—
Joshua Hunt,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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There were no ornaments, no photos, no paintings.—
Josh Ireland,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
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Putting up the Christmas tree last year with ornaments Ryan and his sister made was tough, Gary said.—
Emma Hurt,
AJC.com,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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One versatile, wear-with-anything sneaker means more space in your bag for outfits and souvenirs.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Mar. 2026
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The compact pouch unfolds into a surprisingly roomy tote that can handle everything from leftovers and wet ponchos to last-minute Disney souvenirs on the way back to your resort.—
Jacqueline Dole,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Whether antiques, cherished knickknacks, or heirlooms, items that are very delicate and/or precious to the customer are typically items house cleaners won’t want to mess with in order to cut down the risk of damaging them.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
11 Feb. 2026
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Displaying books, plants, and knickknacks in your office looks extra stylish with this set of four wall cubbies; the top of each cubby offers extra open space to store even more items.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Ox Lot Books keeps their shelves stocked high and their calendar of events lively, while Cottage Antiques is a treasure trove of crystal, china, and trinkets.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
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A little bowl of trinkets sitting on your nightstand?—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Whether your baubles are gold, silver, diamond, or costume jewelry, here’s how to clean rings to maintain their brilliance and condition over time.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
23 Feb. 2026
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Small, independent merchants don’t offer the bric-a-brac of Christmas baubles of embroidered kilts found in nearby (and more touristy) Pitlochry, but instead opt for used books at The Birnam Reader, artisanal cheeses and baked goods at Aran Bakery, and small-batch gin at LÒN.—
Timothy Latterner,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ornamentals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ornamentals. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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