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
Relevance
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
When not splashed with colorful tiles, the floors are covered in handmade rugs; ornate decor shipped from Alexandria brings old-world charm; intricate crown molding highlights the tall, stately ceilings.
—
Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 8 Apr. 2026
Keep your eyes on the ornate iron balconies overhead, duck into local art galleries and pause for the street performers who make every block feel alive.
—Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026
Hadid shared a few behind-the-scenes snippets from a recent Miss Sixty campaign photoshoot in what appears to be a gorgeous seaside home or hotel, resplendent with ornate antique furniture.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 6 Apr. 2026
One of my core memories as a kid is my mom taking me to the ballet at Christmas as a treat and going into this crazy opera house where everything’s just so ornate and the seats are all velvety and gorgeous.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ornate
Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 8 Apr. 2026
Keep your eyes on the ornate iron balconies overhead, duck into local art galleries and pause for the street performers who make every block feel alive.
—Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026
Hadid shared a few behind-the-scenes snippets from a recent Miss Sixty campaign photoshoot in what appears to be a gorgeous seaside home or hotel, resplendent with ornate antique furniture.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 6 Apr. 2026
One of my core memories as a kid is my mom taking me to the ballet at Christmas as a treat and going into this crazy opera house where everything’s just so ornate and the seats are all velvety and gorgeous.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ornate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ornate
Adjective
-
Hear the indie rock band fill the Allstate Arena with their big, baroque sound.—
Jennifer Day,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The more baroque elements are especially satisfying.—
Brad Sanders,
Pitchfork,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The proliferation of letters in the New Testament is also typical of second-century literary activity; letters written as rhetorical models, using the epistolary form as an intimate vehicle for argument, are everywhere in the later period.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Its sustained support for armed proxy groups in the region — organizations that openly seek Israel’s destruction — demonstrates that this is not merely rhetorical.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
The decorated skier suffered back-to-back injuries in the last month.—
Yi-Jin Yu,
ABC News,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Democrats saw gains in red, blue and purple counties when compared to another judicial race last year, which was also won by the liberal candidate.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Starter Kyle Freeland was nails, and Willi Castro and Mickey Moniak both slipped on the celebratory purple faux fur coat after launching home runs.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Thoreau can be a tough read, [especially] Walden, with all that florid 19th-century prose.—
Thor Christensen,
Dallas Morning News,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Early in 2024, taggers began turning its skyscrapers into canvases for florid graffiti art.—
Roger Vincent,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Blown out, extravagant, dripping with ferocious malaise and desperation, but precisely arranged for the maximum possible emotional effect.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Even dinner is an extravagant affair.—
Catherine Garcia,
TheWeek,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
With their blissful harmonies and flowery, mystical lyrics, the Texas duo embodied soft rock, ushering in the genre at the dawn of the Seventies with a gentle nudge and a tip of Seals’ signature newsboy cap.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The softer songs ease off of careful provocations and shouty tones, for the most part, in favor of more flowery writing and vocal deliveries.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
And loyalty became a gilded cage.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Spanning up to 1,560 square feet, the six Signature Suites are decked out with 19th-century frescoes, gilded salons, marble fireplaces, and tall windows, evoking the glitz and glamor of a bygone era.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ornate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ornate. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
