pretty 1 of 3

1
2
as in nice
giving pleasure or contentment to the mind or senses she was not a pretty sight after she fell off her horse and into the mud

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

pretty

2 of 3

adverb

pretty

3 of 3

noun

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For
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a pretty picture
a cute picture
a gorgeous picture
a beautiful picture
a lovely picture
a fabulous picture
a pretty place
a stunning place
a picturesque place
a scenic place
an aesthetic place
a gorgeous place
a pretty dress
a stylish dress
an adorable dress
a fabulous dress
a fashionable dress
a great dress
a pretty name
a lovely name
a neat name
a wonderful name
a pleasant name
a nice name

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective pretty differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of pretty are beautiful, comely, fair, handsome, and lovely. While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness.

a painter of conventionally pretty scenes

When is beautiful a more appropriate choice than pretty?

The words beautiful and pretty can be used in similar contexts, but beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses.

beautiful mountain scenery

How do comely and handsome relate to one another, in the sense of pretty?

Comely is like handsome in suggesting what is coolly approved rather than emotionally responded to.

the comely grace of a dancer

Where would fair be a reasonable alternative to pretty?

In some situations, the words fair and pretty are roughly equivalent. However, fair suggests beauty because of purity, flawlessness, or freshness.

fair of face

When might handsome be a better fit than pretty?

While in some cases nearly identical to pretty, handsome suggests aesthetic pleasure due to proportion, symmetry, or elegance.

a handsome Georgian mansion

How are the words lovely and beautiful related as synonyms of pretty?

Lovely is close to beautiful but applies to a narrower range of emotional excitation in suggesting the graceful, delicate, or exquisite.

a lovely melody

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 pretty
Adjective
From Saturday, March 1, to Saturday, April 12, 2025 pretty Venus goes retrograde. Sophie Saint Thomas, Allure, 28 Feb. 2025 Aimée and Trintignant are movie-star pretty, but Lelouch’s style gives them both a weighty humanity, as do their performances. Carmel Dagan, Variety, 18 June 2024
Adverb
Steph Green of Contained Creations framed the front steps with pots of pretty ‘October Magic Ivory’ camellias from the Southern Living Plant Collection. Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2025 Hedwig’s pretty face stares out at you with bright yellow eyes. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2025
Noun
Corn on the cob is pretty much required for a cookout, and eating is already going to get a bit messy when ribs are also on the menu. Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2025 Temperatures and humidity will begin to increase on Thursday, reaching the upper 80s which is pretty typical for mid-August in the metro. Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pretty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretty
Adjective
  • But now, the historic home faces something beautiful and meaningful: the city's newest park.
    Dana Afana, Freep.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Across time and place, House of Smoke moves toward a reckoning with the troubled South that shaped my worldview and an appreciation for the many gifts my beautiful and tragic mother bestowed.
    John T. Edge, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Another layer of pastry sits atop the mixture and is covered in crystal sugar, which adds a nice sweetness to contrast the tart filling, as well as a delicate crunch in each bite.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2025
  • There is a blended family about to be formed, as well as a blending of cultures within that family that was nice to see.
    Katie Grant, Parents, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Project Neighbors Executive Director Carmen Vincent said the homes would be suitable for nurses, teachers, grocery store clerks, senior citizens and others who need affordable homes.
    Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Best Wood Chair These teak wood chairs from Amazon are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, wherever the party takes you.
    Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 7 Aug. 2025
Adverb
  • Ether has been trading within a relatively modest range recently, fluctuating between $3,300 and $3,800 in August following a big month where notable government developments helped boost regulatory clarity for the crypto space.
    Charles Lloyd Bovaird II, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • However, using a relatively small 93 kWh battery does inevitably reduce the Evija’s range.
    Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Music aside, Stone Groove Stillhouse is quite the looker.
    Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 29 July 2025
  • David Hockney is a good looker.
    Dodie Kazanjian, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Dining was in the lovely dining room or outside under propane heaters with cozy Pendleton blankets.
    Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Artist booths will line two paved roads, one of which offers lovely views of the Meadow Lake.
    Jennifer Day, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Mini marshmallows add a chewy, soft contrast, while crunchy lemon cookies give the dessert a pleasant crunch.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Think wild strawberries and mineral lift with just enough texture to add a pleasant element of complexity, something not often found in entry-level rosé.
    Devin Parr, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Lucio — leggy, brave, sturdy in the challenge — is probably more appropriate as a reference point.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 8 Aug. 2025
  • The player models and lighting are excellent, with equipment shining and time of day delivering the appropriate immersion.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pretty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretty. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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