pret·ti·fi·ca·tion
ˌpritəfə̇ˈkāshən 
plural -s
: the act, process, or result of prettifying
an excess of prettification and sentimentality, a failure to stick to what the composer has written—
Howard Taubman
Howard TaubmanExamples of prettify in a Sentence
Verb
The city is trying to prettify its downtown.
The movie prettified what was in reality a very bloody battle.
Recent Examples on the Web
Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 12 Feb. 2026
Nonetheless, the film does have atmosphere, thanks to Simon Plunket’s widescreen cinematography achieving an effect that’s handsome but not prettified, a pervasive bluish lighting cast conveying an uphill-struggle melancholy in wordless terms.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 29 Apr. 2025
The word beautiful is peppered throughout every scene, emphasizing Meghan’s key aspiration of prettifying domestic life.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2025
Clinically-proven to increase lip volume by up to 20% and reduce fine lines by up to 33%, the smoothing formula will prettify your pucker.
—Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
In telling this story, Smith tried not to prettify what life was like in the territory.
—Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025
Using euphemisms or otherwise prettifying language can lead to children interpreting things too literally.
—Sarah Klein, TIME, 4 Apr. 2024
And Isobel Waller-Bridge’s score is beautifully in line with the idea of a surface that prettifies the truth.
—Caryn James, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 June 2023
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Verb
To prettify the restaurant, Padula installed apple green faux turf to cover brick pavers in the outdoor dining area.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 12 Feb. 2026
Nonetheless, the film does have atmosphere, thanks to Simon Plunket’s widescreen cinematography achieving an effect that’s handsome but not prettified, a pervasive bluish lighting cast conveying an uphill-struggle melancholy in wordless terms.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 29 Apr. 2025
The word beautiful is peppered throughout every scene, emphasizing Meghan’s key aspiration of prettifying domestic life.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2025
Clinically-proven to increase lip volume by up to 20% and reduce fine lines by up to 33%, the smoothing formula will prettify your pucker.
—Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
In telling this story, Smith tried not to prettify what life was like in the territory.
—Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025
Using euphemisms or otherwise prettifying language can lead to children interpreting things too literally.
—Sarah Klein, TIME, 4 Apr. 2024
And Isobel Waller-Bridge’s score is beautifully in line with the idea of a surface that prettifies the truth.
—Caryn James, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 June 2023
Cite this Entry
“Prettify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prettify. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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