ornate

adjective

ȯr-ˈnāt How to pronounce ornate (audio)
Definition of ornatenext
1
as in baroque
elaborately and often excessively decorated an ornate gambling casino that is designed to look like an Italian palace

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rhetorical
full of fine words and fancy expressions the ornate prose that was standard in all diplomatic correspondence in those days

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 ornate A number of them have ornate collars on, and—strangely to our twenty-first-century eyes—just as many are wearing earrings featuring hoops, bows, and rosettes. — Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026 In another effort to pay homage to her heritage, Osaka’s Wimbledon attire was a ceremonial Japanese dress with billowing long sleeves, ornate embroidery and a ruffled skirt. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026 On arrival, we were escorted across a wooden bridge to the famous ornate jewel-laden golden door. — Kate Berlant, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026 Details like a dedicated water list, an ornate coffee and tea service, and a serious wine program make the evening feel complete. — Jacqueline Dole, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ornate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ornate
  1. baroque
  2. rhetorical
  3. decorated
  4. purple
  5. extravagant
  6. florid
  7. gilded
  8. flowery
Adjective
  • The Ramos Gin Fizz thrives as the last extant representative of the category, like Macy’s Herald Square or modern day Vienna, a decadent and baroque monument to a once-vast empire.
    — Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2026
  • His third novel Ninety-Two in the Shade was a finalist for the National Book Award; fans say its baroque intelligence and post-hippie hangover were too real for the judges.
    — Ryan Chapman, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of baroque
Adjective
  • Eisenkot lacks Netanyahu’s rhetorical flair, polished English, and decades on the world stage.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The White House and Vance’s press office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on his rhetorical about-face.
    — Eli Hager, ProPublica, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of rhetorical
Adjective
  • There are several good options here, but Perkins was a decorated player his first two years at LSU before an ACL tear altered his path.
    — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 29 July 2026
  • Australian authorities have arrested and charged the country's most decorated living soldier, Ben Roberts-Smith, 47, with five war crime murders allegedly committed during the war in Afghanistan.
    — Elaine Mallon, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Definition of decorated
Adjective
  • Bickelhaupt was taken to the hospital in June 2025 with two black eyes and purple and bluish bruises.
    — Zoey Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The actress’ dress hailed from Almée Couture’s spring 2027 collection and featured a bouquet of botanicals set against a purple mountain range landscape.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of purple
Adjective
  • But a new novel by Lucy Foley is setting Poirot aside and blowing the dust off the mild-mannered Marple by whisking her away to an extravagant Swiss Alps adventure.
    — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The ultimate reward isn’t retiring on a beach or buying something extravagant.
    — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of extravagant
Adjective
  • One day, someone came in from a meditation-retreat center in a state of florid psychosis.
    — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Mariachi, tequila, and the florid masculinity of charrería, Mexico's national equestrian sport, all originated in Jalisco, the state for which Guadalajara serves as capital.
    — Michael Snyder, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of florid
Adjective
  • Birkin’s bag was black box, a kind of calf leather, with gilded brass hardware, fashioned in a rectangular shape with saddle stitching and a burnished flap embossed with the initials JB.
    — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 19 Oct. 2026
  • But in recent years tastes began changing; locals and visitors alike were drawn back to the serene atmosphere of the riverfront, with its open spaces, gilded temples, and potent sense of place.
    — Tony Perrottet, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of gilded
Adjective
  • The MemoMind One’s summaries were particularly strange and vague, with awkward and nonsensically arranged concepts strung together with flowery horoscope-like language.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Her flowery dress was the brightest thing in our corner of the car.
    — Ledio Cakaj, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of flowery

Browse Nearby Words

ornaments
ornate
ornately
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Cite this Entry

“Ornate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ornate. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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