as in decorative
serving to add beauty
changes in the original design of the building were purely cosmetic
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Recent Examples of cosmetic
Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 27 Mar. 2025
Which brings up perhaps the most common source of cosmetic damage a car faces – getting washed.
—Karl Brauer, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Chantelle Lee, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025
Carney was referring to an initial $21 billion worth of retaliatory tariffs that have been applied on items like American orange juice, peanut butter, coffee, appliances, footwear, cosmetics, motorcycles and certain pulp and paper products.
—arkansasonline.com, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cosmetic
Adjective
But beyond these small cosmetic fixes, the city will also require the Department of Buildings to study better designs for the sheds and submit them by the end of September.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 27 Mar. 2025
Which brings up perhaps the most common source of cosmetic damage a car faces – getting washed.
—Karl Brauer, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Noun
In 1990, the FDA prohibited Red 3 from being used in cosmetics and topical drugs, in light of research that found the dye caused cancer in male rats.
—Chantelle Lee, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025
Carney was referring to an initial $21 billion worth of retaliatory tariffs that have been applied on items like American orange juice, peanut butter, coffee, appliances, footwear, cosmetics, motorcycles and certain pulp and paper products.
—arkansasonline.com, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cosmetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cosmetic
Adjective
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On the new range wall, a quartzite shelf that matches the tall backsplash and counter provides both functional and decorative space.—
Jody Garlock,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Apr. 2025
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Different decorative lights hang in different areas, too.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The same was true for Israel and apartheid South Africa during the Cold War, despite their geographic location and racial makeup.—
Zachariah Mampilly,
Foreign Affairs,
1 Apr. 2025
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Davis remembered Boseman’s girlfriend and makeup artist rubbing his back and playing meditative music while creating the Netflix drama.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Smaller accessories like handmade sconces adorn the walls, demonstrating the duo’s flair for ornamental detail and ultra refined taste.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
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Cuban treefrogs tend to lay their eggs in small artificial water sources, such as buckets, bird baths, ornamental ponds, clogged gutters, rain barrels, flower pots, kiddie pools, and water troughs.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In 2025, going bigger and bolder with kitchen hardware as a focal point is certainly in, whether that’s with oversized knobs that give visual weight to the space, elongated pulls that feel elegant, pops of color with paint or marble detailing, or really leaning into texture.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
5 Apr. 2025
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Throughout the rest of the game, Dawn Staley’s squad had only three turnovers and outscored the Longhorns 18-6 in the paint, cruising to a 74-57 win.—
Roberta F. Rodrigues,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Smokey is shaped completely different and obviously his coloring is very unusual for a beagle.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
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The lab also analyzed food colorings and additives, which the new administration has said is a priority, per the New York Times.—
Alison Snyder,
Axios,
6 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cosmetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cosmetic. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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