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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 When soccer’s big names came to play The beautiful game could have a big night here next week — assuming one of its biggest stars is healthy. Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025 Synonymous with quiet luxury, Jenni Kayne’s cropped cashmere cardigan is perfect for casual moments in beautiful places. Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 4 Apr. 2025 There are these beautiful moments of the scene kind of mirroring the real world experience of having this happen in the show. Samantha Highfill, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2025 Here are some of the most beautiful tulip festivals to catch across the globe as well as how tulips came to have cultural significance in each destination. Kaitlyn McInnis, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for beautiful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beautiful
Adjective
  • Nicotiana sylvestris Sun Exposure: Dappled shade Soil Type: Organic loam Soil pH: Slightly acidic 11 of 11 Wishbone Flower Wishbone flower is a low-growing annual with lovely two-toned, two-lipped, tubular purple or pink flowers.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Armani’s Luminous Silk Concealer is a lovely example of just that.
    Annie Blackman, Allure, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Embracing different cultures: There is plenty of wonderful Mexican culture depicted throughout the film, from cooking traditional dishes to the vibrant atmosphere.
    Alex Vance, Parents, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Cherish these moments and know that your efforts to preserve their voices are a wonderful tribute to your relationships.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • If so, Heesen’s new 180-foot Project Agnetha, with a gorgeous interior by Italian designer Luca Dini, should float your boat.
    Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Comments The White Lotus, Mike White’s Emmy-winning HBO series, offers many pleasures, from sharp writing and gorgeous locations to some of the best ensembles on TV.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Two standout experiences near the water include Schooner’s in the Caribbean Village, open for breakfast and dinner (chef Chris’s swordfish steak was excellent) as well as Barefoot by the Sea in the Italian Village.
    Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Rear space is excellent, with plenty of legroom and headroom, accentuated by the panoramic sunroof.
    James Morris, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Plus, shop cute styles for brunch with friends or date night.
    Isabel Garcia, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • This cute upstairs cafe at the English Market is a great choice for tea, cakes or lunch.
    Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Weather conditions, though, are in the hands of Mother Nature — so hope for no rain, fog or haze that could negatively hinder the awesome view of the comet in the night.
    Skyler Caruso, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Herro has been awesome this season, his first as an All-Star.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Comments The handsome, prickly, and soulful Val Kilmer died from pneumonia on Tuesday after an 11-year struggle with throat cancer.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The actor, who died Tuesday at age 65, was movie-star handsome at 46.
    Marco della Cava, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Sweet Samara is a fabulous companion, available for adoption with Our Companions Animal Rescue and Sanctuary.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2025
  • South Coast Plaza, event partner for the 21st straight year, will feature fabulous fall fashion from its collection of luxury retailers and international designers, according to a news release.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Beautiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beautiful. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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