pretty 1 of 3

pretty

2 of 3

adjective

1
as in nice
giving pleasure or contentment to the mind or senses she was not a pretty sight after she fell off her horse and into the mud

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3

pretty

3 of 3

noun

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a pretty picture
a cute picture
a gorgeous picture
a beautiful picture
a lovely picture
a fabulous picture
a pretty place
a stunning place
a picturesque place
a scenic place
an aesthetic place
a gorgeous place
a pretty dress
a stylish dress
an adorable dress
a fabulous dress
a fashionable dress
a great dress
a pretty name
a lovely name
a neat name
a wonderful name
a pleasant name
a nice name

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective pretty differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of pretty are beautiful, comely, fair, handsome, and lovely. While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness.

a painter of conventionally pretty scenes

When is beautiful a more appropriate choice than pretty?

The words beautiful and pretty can be used in similar contexts, but beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses.

beautiful mountain scenery

How do comely and handsome relate to one another, in the sense of pretty?

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

the comely grace of a dancer

Where would fair be a reasonable alternative to pretty?

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

fair of face

When might handsome be a better fit than pretty?

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

a handsome Georgian mansion

How are the words lovely and beautiful related as synonyms of pretty?

Lovely is close to beautiful but applies to a narrower range of emotional excitation in suggesting the graceful, delicate, or exquisite.

a lovely melody

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 pretty
Adverb
Of course, easier said than done, in terms of them actually accepting their daughter’s wishes — and, in Timothy’s case, accepting pretty much anything right now, given his own deep free fall. Josh Wigler, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Mar. 2025 Those estimates, in my week with the car, were pretty conservative. New Atlas, 22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
This high-end dish is great for daily jewelry, car keys, loose change, or anything else that needs a pretty home. Brie Schwartz, Glamour, 19 Mar. 2025 This green gelatin even boasts a pretty spring color. Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
Sustainable and oh-so-pretty, this skirt was made to accentuate curves. Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2023 Stretched along a river in the heart of the Netherlands, the town of Wageningen is not postcard-pretty. Marta Zaraska, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2019 See All Example Sentences for pretty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretty
Adverb
  • By assessing areas that are densely populated but relatively underserved by current franchises, this analysis aims to identify the most promising locations for future NBA expansion.
    Giovanni Malloy, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Only the long, treeless ridges where vicious winds blow remain relatively free of deep drifts.
    Ray Alt, Outdoor Life, 27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • This is a nice improvement, though short of Apple's 10-hour estimate.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Women can wear a nice top and skirt, a knee-length or midi dress, or a suit.
    Shelby Wax, Vogue, 29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • While sisal rugs are typically suitable outdoors, this particular one is recommended for indoor use only.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 20 Mar. 2025
  • And at the end, the pair disagreed on whether the Hot Ones challenge is suitable for couples.
    Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The melodies are all up there with the most beautiful melodies ever made.
    Nicholas Ducassi, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Here are some of the most beautiful tulip festivals to catch across the globe as well as how tulips came to have cultural significance in each destination.
    Kaitlyn McInnis, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The bathroom is also a looker with mosaic, colorful floors.
    TJ Macias, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2025
  • Nature is captured with the brush and consumed, endlessly, at the looker’s leisure.
    Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
Adverb
  • This isn’t quite the same thing, because Pornchai isn’t the heir to a family fortune and intends for a more straightforward partnership.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The exchange was no great drama, instead reflecting that the margins were quite fine between the two Ferraris.
    Luke Smith, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The keyboard itself is pleasant enough to type on, with moderate feedback while avoiding the squishy feel some budget systems have.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
  • From the point of view of Paul, Weiss, having to strike this arrangement wasn’t pleasant, but the price was tolerable.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Routine blood work minimizes the chance of nutrient deficiencies and allows for appropriate adjustments to your supplement routine.4 Limit Alcohol The body absorbs alcohol more quickly after bariatric surgery.
    Amy Brownstein, MS, RDN, Verywell Health, 19 Mar. 2025
  • For example, Facebook could allow for appropriate levels of parental oversight of teen accounts while preserving privacy.
    Abdulmalik Alluhidan, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pretty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretty. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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