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's nothing like a beautiful summer evening spent beneath the stars. Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 6 May 2026 Woven Chenille Botanical Throw Blanket A butter yellow blanket makes for a beautiful spring accent anywhere you drape it. Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 May 2026 But life wants to be beautiful. Time, 6 May 2026 After the last two World Cup tournaments in Qatar and Russia, the beautiful game was returning to a democracy for the first time since 2014. Miami Herald, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for beautiful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beautiful
Adjective
  • The Otesaga Resort Hotel Cooperstown, New York If a pilgrimage to the National Baseball Hall of Fame is on your family vacation bucket list, combine your visit with a stay at The Otesaga Resort Hotel for a lovely lakeside getaway.
    Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 6 May 2026
  • Completing the triptych is the story of yet another student in 1972, the shy Hannes (Enzo Brumm), who hopes to study poetry but is soon taken with the lovely Gundula (Marlene Burow), who is researching the neural responses of the geranium on her windowsill.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 May 2026
Adjective
  • There is great teaching going on, the principal is wonderful.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Claire has been an advocate for courageous stories, an expert at complicated logistics and a wonderful partner to teams across the entire news division.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Use trailing varieties as spillers or to fill hanging baskets, and mounding varieties as gorgeous fillers.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 2 May 2026
  • Want to capture a gorgeous meteor photo for yourself?
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 May 2026
Adjective
  • Conversations around excellent kebabs in Southern California tend to begin with the Martirosyan family and their Mini Kabob in Glendale.
    Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
  • The lighting, art design and score are all excellent – and the single shot construction gives the film a dreamy, meditative quality.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 7 May 2026
Adjective
  • The clothes were cute, though, if not a little costumey.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 1 May 2026
  • This adorable cloud pillow shows Harry’s iconic lightning bolt scar and is a seriously cute addition to any fan’s collection of memorabilia.
    Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 1 May 2026
Adjective
  • Count Dooku Christopher Lee with an awesome cape and a lightsaber.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 3 May 2026
  • In addition, the action includes top-tier spider combat and awesome web-slinging and web-gliding traversal abilities.
    George Yang, PC Magazine, 1 May 2026
Adjective
  • Certain trim levels feature a handsome, textured pattern.
    James Raia, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
  • Platonic best friends Juniper and Mo could be perfectly happy tending to their cottage, ignoring the call for adventure that has Mo restless every winter and Juniper worried about losing his handsome soulmate roommate.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
Adjective
  • Kelsey Calemine, Chelsea Lazkani, and Jamie Chung look glowy and fabulous at the Glow Recipe Cushion World VIP preview event in Los Angeles on April 30.
    Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026
  • Annual With succulent foliage and large, brightly colored blooms, portulaca or moss rose makes a fabulous selection for containers in hot, dry sites.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 2 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Beautiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beautiful. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

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