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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective lovely differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lovely are beautiful, comely, fair, handsome, and pretty. While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," lovely is close to beautiful but applies to a narrower range of emotional excitation in suggesting the graceful, delicate, or exquisite.

a lovely melody

When could beautiful be used to replace lovely?

The words beautiful and lovely are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 lovely?

Comely is like handsome in suggesting what is coolly approved rather than emotionally responded to.

the comely grace of a dancer

When is fair a more appropriate choice than lovely?

In some situations, the words fair and lovely are roughly equivalent. However, fair suggests beauty because of purity, flawlessness, or freshness.

fair of face

When would handsome be a good substitute for lovely?

While in some cases nearly identical to lovely, handsome suggests aesthetic pleasure due to proportion, symmetry, or elegance.

a handsome Georgian mansion

When is it sensible to use pretty instead of lovely?

Although the words pretty and lovely have much in common, 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 lovely
Adjective
The first flowering of the reblooming variety of these perennial lovelies is in June. Erynn Hassinger, Country Living, 22 Apr. 2023 No, Colin Frissell hooking up with the three lovelies in Wisconsin. Kyle Smith, National Review, 10 Dec. 2019
Noun
Likewise, the airy comedy (boosted by Thomas Newman’s sprightly if familiar-sounding score) insists on the seeming incongruity between the film’s lovely setting and its darker subject matter. Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 22 Aug. 2025 Berries, nuts, granola, even chocolate chips make a lovely topping to this budget-friendly cereal. Sara Coughlin, SELF, 22 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lovely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lovely
Adjective
  • The music is wonderful and the archival footage a blast.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 30 Aug. 2025
  • Make sure everyone gets to enjoy this wonderful pastime for years to come.
    Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • But now, the historic home faces something beautiful and meaningful: the city's newest park.
    Dana Afana, Freep.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • First crushes, first loves, the beautiful days of summer, and heartbreak are what made this book an instant hit with teens.
    Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Minimalism has been shifting toward its softer side, and this bluff-top stunner in East Hampton is a prime example.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 11 Aug. 2025
  • Richard Mille just added a new circular stunner to its lineup.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 18 July 2025
Adjective
  • There’s trendy hot pot and face-numbing Sichuan spots, as well as relative newcomers like the excellent Thai spot Zaab Zaab.
    Cathy Erway, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Just north of Venice, the Veneto region is also known for excellent wines.
    Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Farm Rio With gorgeous, colorful pieces, Farm Rio’s shiny new Carnaby Street store fits seamlessly into Soho.
    Rachel Dube, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • The all-time classic has been respectfully and faithfully recreated with little interference other than gorgeous visuals and a more accessible, modern control scheme.
    James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Get an eyeful of Davidson on The Tonight Show in the interview above.
    Shania Russell, EW.com, 23 July 2025
  • Alternatively, get an eyeful of the Leake Street Arches—aka the London Graffiti tunnel—beneath Waterloo Station, and pop out on Lower Marsh, with its centuries-old street market and proper Lambeth vibe.
    Emma John, AFAR Media, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • Me and some of our fabulous queens from Down Under joining me?
    McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2025
  • And, of course, the Famous Opportunity Drawing for fabulous gift baskets will conclude the morning of fun, according to a news release.
    Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Cups are often the first things to go, and these are cute enough that people will want to take them home.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2025
  • But for those trying to make their warm-weather pieces last a bit longer, a cute layer will do the trick.
    Mia Huelsbeck, People.com, 23 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lovely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lovely. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.

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