BEAUTIFUL Synonyms: 265 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'beautiful' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of beautiful are comely , fair , handsome , lovely , and pretty . While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses. // beautiful mountain scenery

Q: How are the words 'comely' and 'handsome' related as synonyms of 'beautiful'?

Comely is like handsome in suggesting what is coolly approved rather than emotionally responded to. // the comely grace of a dancer

Q: When can 'fair' be used instead of 'beautiful'?

The words fair and beautiful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fair suggests beauty because of purity, flawlessness, or freshness. // fair of face

Q: When could 'handsome' be used to replace 'beautiful'?

While in some cases nearly identical to beautiful , handsome suggests aesthetic pleasure due to proportion, symmetry, or elegance. // a handsome Georgian mansion

Q: How do 'lovely' and 'beautiful' relate to one another?

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

Q: In what contexts can 'pretty' take the place of 'beautiful'?

The words pretty and beautiful can be used in similar contexts, but pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness. // a painter of conventionally pretty scenes

beautiful

adjective

ˈbyü-ti-fəl

Definition of beautiful next

as in lovely

very pleasing to look at the banquet hall was decorated with beautiful flower arrangements for the reception

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in wonderful

of the very best kind you've done a beautiful job of illustrating that children's story

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective beautiful differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of beautiful are comely, fair, handsome, lovely, and pretty. While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses.

beautiful mountain scenery

How are the words comely and handsome related as synonyms of beautiful?

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

the comely grace of a dancer

When can fair be used instead of beautiful?

The words fair and beautiful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fair suggests beauty because of purity, flawlessness, or freshness.

fair of face

When could handsome be used to replace beautiful?

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

a handsome Georgian mansion

How do lovely and beautiful relate to one another?

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

a lovely melody

In what contexts can pretty take the place of beautiful?

The words pretty and beautiful can be used in similar contexts, but pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness.

a painter of conventionally pretty scenes

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 beautiful Set within the Benedictine Abbey of Weltenburg, which sits just above a bend in the Danube River, the grounds include a beer garden that’s breathtakingly beautiful but pours only one of the brewery’s three alcohol‑free varieties. —

David Dickstein, Oc Register, 10 June 2026 The verbena is known for its beautiful flowers, which are often striking during the spring and summer. —

Kate Nateras, Architectural Digest, 10 June 2026 Meanwhile, Nike made good use of Canada’s national symbol, splashing a duo-tone maple leaf across a beautiful bright red home kit. —

Gabriel Sama, Mercury News, 10 June 2026 That little moment — and Carley was genuinely in it — was so beautiful. —

Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for beautiful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for beautiful

Adjective

The crochet eyelet design gives this set an expensive feel, and the skirt hits at a lovely spot between midi and maxi.

— Annie Blackman, InStyle, 10 June 2026
The event is also a lovely way to honor film history.

— Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 10 June 2026

Definition of lovely

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beautifies

beautiful

beautifully

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“Beautiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beautiful. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.

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Synonyms of beautiful

adjective

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