ORNAMENT Synonyms: 124 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

ornament 1 of 2

noun

ˈȯr-nə-mənt

Definition of ornament next

as in decoration

something that decorates or beautifies her collection of plaster gnomes which she uses as lawn ornaments

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ornament

2 of 2

verb

ˈȯr-nə-ˌment

as in to decorate

to make more attractive by adding something that is beautiful or becoming delicate crystal figurines ornament the mantel over the fireplace

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Various merchandise products were sold including tote bags, a plush toy, 50th anniversary hoodies and t-shirts, ceramic mugs, 18-ounce and 32-ounce thermal bottles, cold cup ornaments, pins and key chains. —

Marcus D. Smith, Sacramento Bee, 5 Jan. 2025 The auditorium was transformed with spectacular holiday decorations, including a beautiful Christmas tree, full of ornaments and lights, and unique holiday table decorations filled the room. —

News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Jan. 2025

Verb

The show begins with an extensive selection of luxury astrolabes, a technical instrument of engraved and ornamented metal plates and dials used for timekeeping, astronomy and navigation. —

Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2024 Whose diction stays this grand, this ornamented, when they’ve been stripped of everything, perhaps even their sanity? —

Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ornament

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ornament

Noun

All of her vintage wedding decorations are currently being stored in her garage.

— Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 17 Jan. 2025
Family Uses Blackberries For Snowman’s Eyes, Goes As Expected By Daniella Gray Family and Parenting Reporter 0 A family from Georgia learned their lesson this week after their choice of snowman decorations backfired.

— Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025