ADORN Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'adorn' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of adorn are beautify , deck , decorate , embellish , garnish , and ornament . While all these words mean "to enhance the appearance of something by adding something unessential," adorn implies an enhancing by something beautiful in itself. // a diamond necklace adorned her neck

Q: How do 'beautify' and 'embellish' relate to one another, in the sense of 'adorn'?

Beautify adds to embellish a suggestion of counterbalancing plainness or ugliness. // will beautify the grounds with flower beds

Q: In what contexts can 'deck' take the place of 'adorn'?

The synonyms deck and adorn are sometimes interchangeable, but deck implies the addition of something that contributes to gaiety, splendor, or showiness. // a house all decked out for Christmas

Q: When is 'decorate' a more appropriate choice than 'adorn'?

Although the words decorate and adorn have much in common, decorate suggests relieving plainness or monotony by adding beauty of color or design. // decorate a birthday cake

Q: Where would 'embellish' be a reasonable alternative to 'adorn'?

The words embellish and adorn 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: When is it sensible to use 'garnish' instead of 'adorn'?

While in some cases nearly identical to adorn , garnish suggests decorating with a small final touch and is used especially in referring to the serving of food. // an entrée garnished with parsley

Q: How are the words 'ornament' and 'embellish' related as synonyms of 'adorn'?

Both 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

adorn

verb

ə-ˈdȯrn

Definition of adorn next

as in to decorate

to make more attractive by adding something that is beautiful or becoming the Sultan's tent was richly adorned with thick tapestries and gleaming gold candlesticks

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

Some common synonyms of adorn are beautify, deck, decorate, embellish, garnish, and ornament. While all these words mean "to enhance the appearance of something by adding something unessential," adorn implies an enhancing by something beautiful in itself.

a diamond necklace adorned her neck

How do beautify and embellish relate to one another, in the sense of adorn?

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

will beautify the grounds with flower beds

In what contexts can deck take the place of adorn?

The synonyms deck and adorn are sometimes interchangeable, but deck implies the addition of something that contributes to gaiety, splendor, or showiness.

a house all decked out for Christmas

When is decorate a more appropriate choice than adorn?

Although the words decorate and adorn have much in common, decorate suggests relieving plainness or monotony by adding beauty of color or design.

decorate a birthday cake

Where would embellish be a reasonable alternative to adorn?

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

embellish a page with floral borders

When is it sensible to use garnish instead of adorn?

While in some cases nearly identical to adorn, garnish suggests decorating with a small final touch and is used especially in referring to the serving of food.

an entrée garnished with parsley

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

Both 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

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 adorn The second model in the Escales Autour du Monde pocket watch collection, which LV revealed on Tuesday, has been adorned with an assortment of landmarks and icons tied to the French fashion house. —

Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 4 June 2025 Craft a delectable cheese board, adorned with a selection of charcuterie, sandwiches, and lemonade for beverages. —

Boutayna Chokrane, Vogue, 4 June 2025 Our grandmothers understood the inherent beauty of these natural wonders, whether gracing a simple strand around the neck, adorning delicate earrings, or as a focal point on a cocktail ring. —

Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 1 June 2025 Inside his office, which is nestled within the school’s front office, walls are adorned with memorabilia: a proclamation from Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, framed photos with U.S. —

Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for adorn

Recent Examples of Synonyms for adorn

decorate

Verb

After the supplies were unloaded, Qasem Hassan pulled a medical smock over her black jacket and entered a classroom decorated with diagrams of the digestive system.

— Eyal Press, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
These partners don’t just decorate boats with their logos.

— Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025

Definition of decorate

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adoring

adorn

adorned

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“Adorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adorn. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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Last Updated: 14 Jun 2025 - Updated example sentences

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