Definition of beautifulnext
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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 is no one way to be beautiful. Charles Trepany, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026 Happy Wax provides a flame-free alternative to beautiful home scents. ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026 And Sean Baker made a beautiful love declaration to movie theaters. Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026 Tulips have long been celebrated for their lively colors and beautiful blooms. Michelle Mastro, Architectural Digest, 24 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for beautiful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beautiful
Adjective
  • Here, though, lovely poetic imagery is scrambled with old and alternate timelines, sending the reverie in unanticipated and often comic directions.
    Hannah Gold, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
  • The foyer has a step-up entry from the front door, which feels elegant, and the living room is spacious with lovely touches in every direction — notice the built-ins with the arches that bookend the fireplace.
    Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Even a spontaneous side order of roasted carrots with pomegranate yogurt is haunting me, in a wonderful way.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Jim has a wonderful history with Cannes.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The Hoja Blanca crew has experimented with their own gorgeous versions, making rainbow patterns with different shades of masa.
    Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Basketball legend Michael Jordan celebrated his 23XI Racing team’s fourth NASCAR win while wearing a gorgeous, limited-edition Greubel Forsey that retails for a hefty $500,000.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The Horned Frogs had a mix of air raid and veer-and-shoot principles under Briles, but are expected to move more to a pro-style scheme under Sammis, who had excellent success with that style of offense at UConn.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2026
  • In the pre-show rooms, both real-life actors seen were excellent at interacting with real-life visitors and prerecorded monotone movie stars.
    Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Marvin’s a cute little mushroom living in a cozy home beneath a mighty cedar tree.
    Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Dry off and look cute at the same time with Katydid beach or gym towels.
    Tory Johnson, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The American military is the best in the world, but deploying that awesome power and risking those lives should be the last resort of a president, not the go-to move.
    Storer H. Rowley, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
  • And does that just look like awesome, human movies about 30- and 40-somethings making terrible choices in their love lives?
    Jada Yuan, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The handsome Kennedy heir was seen chatting up several girls.
    Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Claflin’s got the right kind of handsome face for it, all angles and sneers.
    Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Malik Reneau was a fabulous player at Indiana.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Have a fabulous weekend, and happy spring.
    Vytas Reid, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Beautiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beautiful. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.

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