BEAUTIFUL Synonyms: 265 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'beautiful' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of beautiful are comely , fair , handsome , lovely , and pretty . While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses. // beautiful mountain scenery

Q: How are the words 'comely' and 'handsome' related as synonyms of 'beautiful'?

Comely is like handsome in suggesting what is coolly approved rather than emotionally responded to. // the comely grace of a dancer

Q: When can 'fair' be used instead of 'beautiful'?

The words fair and beautiful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fair suggests beauty because of purity, flawlessness, or freshness. // fair of face

Q: When could 'handsome' be used to replace 'beautiful'?

While in some cases nearly identical to beautiful , handsome suggests aesthetic pleasure due to proportion, symmetry, or elegance. // a handsome Georgian mansion

Q: How do 'lovely' and 'beautiful' relate to one another?

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

Q: In what contexts can 'pretty' take the place of 'beautiful'?

The words pretty and beautiful can be used in similar contexts, but pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness. // a painter of conventionally pretty scenes

beautiful

adjective

ˈbyü-ti-fəl

Definition of beautiful next

as in lovely

very pleasing to look at the banquet hall was decorated with beautiful flower arrangements for the reception

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in wonderful

of the very best kind you've done a beautiful job of illustrating that children's story

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a beautiful day

a perfect day

a gorgeous day

a nice day

a magnificent day

a pretty day

beautiful music

elegant music

pleasant music

pretty music

lovely music

wonderful music

beautiful eyes

brilliant eyes

magnificent eyes

amazing eyes

pretty eyes

wonderful eyes

beautiful scenery

picturesque scenery

pristine scenery

spectacular scenery

breathtaking scenery

exquisite scenery

a beautiful baby

an adorable baby

a cute baby

a precious baby

a lovely baby

a gorgeous baby

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective beautiful differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of beautiful are comely, fair, handsome, lovely, and pretty. While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses.

beautiful mountain scenery

How are the words comely and handsome related as synonyms of beautiful?

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

the comely grace of a dancer

When can fair be used instead of beautiful?

The words fair and beautiful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fair suggests beauty because of purity, flawlessness, or freshness.

fair of face

When could handsome be used to replace beautiful?

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

a handsome Georgian mansion

How do lovely and beautiful relate to one another?

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

a lovely melody

In what contexts can pretty take the place of beautiful?

The words pretty and beautiful can be used in similar contexts, but pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness.

a painter of conventionally pretty scenes

Examples 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 beautiful Taylor Hill/FilmMagic—Getty Images Now 50 and a dad of four, Williams appears to view the only industry he’s ever known as both beautiful and beastly. —

Olivia-Anne Cleary, TIME, 10 Jan. 2025 Some of the elements that were part of the original Orient Express 140 years ago still ring true to today, to 2025 and beyond and is a combination of state-of-the-art engineering with beautiful, detailed craftsmanship and amazing service. —

Sofia Celeste, WWD, 10 Jan. 2025 The Alay are a breathtakingly beautiful sub-range of the Pamirs in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. —

Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025 Like Japan’s ultra-exclusive and expensive Toyota 2000GT and Mazda Cosmo, the Nissan Fairlady Z (as it was officially sold in Japan) has a beautiful sports-car shape. —

Robert Ross, Robb Report, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for beautiful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for beautiful

Adjective

There’s a lovely bouquet upon sniffing, followed by a fine, long spreading of flavors on the palate and good herbal qualities.

— John Mariani, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
December Issue Celebrities Jennie Reveals How Cold-Plunging Loosens Up Her Muscles and Opens Up Her Mind A mix of lavender, pink, green, and orange in a watercolor wash effect just makes for a lovely nail Valentine’s Day nail look.

— Audrey Noble, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2025