ornament 1 of 2

ornament

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ornament different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of ornament are adorn, beautify, deck, decorate, embellish, and garnish. While all these words mean "to enhance the appearance of something by adding something unessential," ornament and embellish imply the adding of something extraneous, ornament stressing the heightening or setting off of the original.

a white house ornamented with green shutters

When is it sensible to use adorn instead of ornament?

The synonyms adorn and ornament are sometimes interchangeable, but adorn implies an enhancing by something beautiful in itself.

a diamond necklace adorned her neck

How are the words beautify and embellish related as synonyms of ornament?

Beautify adds to embellish a suggestion of counterbalancing plainness or ugliness.

will beautify the grounds with flower beds

When might deck be a better fit than ornament?

In some situations, the words deck and ornament are roughly equivalent. However, deck implies the addition of something that contributes to gaiety, splendor, or showiness.

a house all decked out for Christmas

In what contexts can decorate take the place of ornament?

While in some cases nearly identical to ornament, decorate suggests relieving plainness or monotony by adding beauty of color or design.

decorate a birthday cake

When can embellish be used instead of ornament?

The words embellish and ornament are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, embellish often stresses the adding of superfluous or adventitious ornament.

embellish a page with floral borders

Where would garnish be a reasonable alternative to ornament?

Although the words garnish and ornament have much in common, garnish suggests decorating with a small final touch and is used especially in referring to the serving of food.

an entrée garnished with parsley

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 ornament
Noun
The crossover will see three new armor ornaments, inspired by Star Wars' Stormtroopers, added to the game. Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025 Victorian homes are characterized by elaborate detailing, expressive ornament, and a sense of grandeur. Lauren Gallow, Architectural Digest, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
Rothschild, neighbors said, maintained a vintage car collection, storing some at his house and others up the street at another property that was ornamented with busts of great thinkers including Raphael and Michelangelo -- and several security cameras. Daniel Miller Los Angeles Times (tns), arkansasonline.com, 30 Nov. 2024 Rothschild, neighbors said, maintained a vintage car collection, storing some at his house and others up the street at another property that was ornamented with busts of great thinkers including Raphael and Michelangelo — and several security cameras. Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 28 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for ornament
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ornament
Noun
  • Helene roared through the building’s lower level, carrying off freezers, the walk-in cooler, thousands of dollars worth of Christmas decorations, and even the walls.
    Hanna Raskin, Southern Living, 20 Mar. 2025
  • These included dress shopping, venue hunting, and the preparing of DIY decorations.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In Christianity the egg symbolizes rebirth and resurrection with the tradition of decorating eggs dating back centuries, while egg hunts and egg rolling have become popular and beloved western customs especially enjoyed by kids.
    Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
  • The birthday girl, rocking a shimmery strapless gown, was serenaded by a live mariachi band, then presented with a multi-tier cake, decorated in sparklers and her name in frosting.
    Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In an era where contemporary architecture often relies on cladding and heavy ornamentation, Paradero celebrates simplicity.
    Natalie Stoclet, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Simple forms and geometries abound, with a distinct lack of more organic elements like curved shapes, soft textures, and overly decorative ornamentation.
    Lauren Gallow, Architectural Digest, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Featuring six unique designs adorned with rhinestones and dazzling details, these accessories—from purses to wallets— showcase the iconic PEEPS Bunny and Chick, adding a playful surprise to your Easter ensemble.
    Lanee Lee, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Enjoy the Hill Country Scenery and Trails Both locals and travelers love to frequent the stunning blue waters at Jacob’s Well Natural Area and Blue Hole Regional Park, which offers 126 acres including shady trails and a crisp, clear swimming hole adorned with rope swings.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Cities across the country will celebrate with parades of green adornment, Irish foods and thematic bar crawls.
    Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Art is a kind of maintenance—a more creative health regimen, a more spiritual wellness routine, and a more visceral ritual of adornment and beauty.
    Akilah Sailers, Essence, 19 Dec. 2024

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ornament.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ornament. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ornament

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!