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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
If banning literature is the silencing of voices, the lovely work of these talented women showed the joy, passion and tremendous value that can come from just being open and willing to listen. Erik Pedersen, Orange County Register, 7 Mar. 2025 Based on Winn’s best-selling memoir, director Marianne Elliott’s lovely film captures the natural but temperamental beauty of the land but also the indomitable spirit of the married couple at its core, who are facing daunting odds, including a health crisis. Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
The vegetables: Along with the summer lovelies mentioned above, some people get all crazy and put mushrooms in their ratatouille. James P. Dewan, chicagotribune.com, 13 Aug. 2019 Here are some of the lovelies that were arrested recently -- the Berkeley deal. Fox News, 29 Aug. 2018 See All Example Sentences for lovely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lovely
Adjective
  • So actually, the story can be looked at as a celebration of the fact that your disability can just be one wonderful part of you.
    Esme Mazzeo, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025
  • And now my wonderful desk light is starting to flicker.
    Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • There are six impossibly grand and beautiful suites here, including the Suite Gianvico, with its 18th-century wallpaper, velvet chairs, parquet floors and a freestanding bathtub overlooking the lake.
    Lysanne Currie, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • This area is especially beautiful and festive in the fall, but there’s never a bad time to visit.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • On its quest to do just that, the Dutch yard has come out with a slew of hybrid stunners.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Only 914 examples of this stunner will be built worldwide, selling for $300,000-plus.
    Kristin Shaw, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The Next Chapter in Glenlivet's 200-Year Legacy The Glenlivet brand has been synonymous with excellent single malt since the dawn of the category.
    Mark Littler, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
  • After an excellent debut, Nikki Glaser has unsurprisingly been tapped to host the Golden Globes again.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The 10-track album is full of gorgeous harmonies and fun, saucy funk (check the title track) that will absolutely inspire some ass-shaking, but which also feels mature and deeply considered.
    Katie Bain, Billboard, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Plan your next gourmet meal with this cast iron Dutch oven from Martha Stewart’s gorgeous line of kitchenware.
    Isabel Garcia, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The filmmakers ensure that viewers similar in age to the kids on screen get an eyeful of what those robotics gatherings are like for their contestants, who arrive from all over the globe.
    Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Overall, Printemps New York is a multifaceted, visual eyeful, where the architecture and decor might overwhelm the merchandise for some.
    David Moin, WWD, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Rent the Runway girl adding at least five fabulous pieces to their cart.
    Laura Jackson, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Purple is having a moment right now, but sage and yellow are also fabulous choices for springtime soirées.
    Madeleine Bokan Thares, Glamour, 11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • In December 2024, the brand opened a cute hut that could have been plucked out of a Disney cartoon on the beach of the St. Regis Kanai Resort in Riviera Maya.
    Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Okay, but how cute is Meghan’s dog, Guy? Love him!!!!
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lovely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lovely. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.

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