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a beautiful day
a perfect day
a gorgeous day
a nice day
a pretty day
beautiful music
elegant music
pleasant music
pretty music
lovely music
wonderful music
beautiful eyes
amazing eyes
pretty 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

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 beautiful There are six impossibly grand and beautiful suites here, including the Suite Gianvico, with its 18th-century wallpaper, velvet chairs, parquet floors and a freestanding bathtub overlooking the lake. Lysanne Currie, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025 Kaley Cuoco has been to some of the most beautiful destinations in the world, but one spot holds a special place in her heart. Moná Thomas, People.com, 10 Mar. 2025 Coastal Excursions in Croatia Photo: Getty Images Known for its staggeringly beautiful coastline (and as the filming location for one wildly successful HBO franchise), Croatia’s natural beauty is on an epic scale. Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2025 While some critics find Brutalism’s heavy look and utilitarian use of materials like concrete, brick and glass harsh – even ugly – there is a beautiful intent behind them. Michael Allen, The Conversation, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for beautiful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beautiful
Adjective
  • Mary then hosted a lovely tea for all of us, which was equally impressive.
    Lois Alter Mark, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Sun and Moon looked lovely, had a wild story focused on alternate worlds and family drama, and some of the coolest Pokémon ever introduced in the series.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • It is skillfully constructed and builds to a wonderful climax.
    Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Mar. 2025
  • His leadership by example, his accomplishments on the field, his love of family, his service to our community and his dedication to excellence all herald his standing as a remarkable athlete and wonderful human being.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Gothenburg locals recognize this spot as a landmark in the city and a gorgeous structure designed by Swedish architect Victor von Gegerfelt in 1874.
    Brittany Leitner, StyleCaster, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Zegler radiates light and beauty in Powell’s gorgeous reworking of the iconic blue and yellow gown that just about every 5-year-old girl in the Western world has dragged through the dirt.
    David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Santa Monica is also an excellent place for low-key, delicious eating, and Rustic Canyon delivers hyper-seasonal California cuisine emblematic of the town’s forward-thinking spirit.
    Visit California, AFAR Media, 13 Mar. 2025
  • After an excellent debut, Nikki Glaser has unsurprisingly been tapped to host the Golden Globes again.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • This Mainstays set accomplishes both goals and is so cute for summer.
    Megan Schaltegger, Travel + Leisure, 21 Mar. 2025
  • His rapping has a frail, slithering quality; his vocal tone morphs between cute squeakiness and ragged rottweiler growls.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Lioness season two, Taylor’s awesome in the episodes.
    Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Now, Homan’s administration wants to use the awesome powers of the federal law enforcement apparatus to intimidate and silence those who disagree with their policy agenda.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Schwartz was a tall, handsome kid from New York, the son of a doctor.
    Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Ultimately, the stepmother is defeated, and Snow White falls in love with a handsome prince.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Rent the Runway girl adding at least five fabulous pieces to their cart.
    Laura Jackson, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Purple is having a moment right now, but sage and yellow are also fabulous choices for springtime soirées.
    Madeleine Bokan Thares, Glamour, 11 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Beautiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beautiful. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on beautiful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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