as in decorative
serving to add beauty
changes in the original design of the building were purely cosmetic
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cosmetic
Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026
This level of microsurgical expertise is rare, even among top cosmetic surgeons.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
It was also adopted by dermo-cosmetic brands for sensitive skin.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cosmetic
Adjective
Lanier suggested the billionaire was prioritizing a child’s right to free expression over the advice of 18 experts who warned the company that cosmetic filters posed a mental-health risk to children.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026
This level of microsurgical expertise is rare, even among top cosmetic surgeons.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
These versatile salves might serve to treat a burn, as a facial cosmetic, or as a hair conditioner in a pinch.
—Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
It was also adopted by dermo-cosmetic brands for sensitive skin.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cosmetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cosmetic
Adjective
-
Projects are moving away from decorative finishes toward natural materials—wood, stone, and layered surfaces that hold up over time.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Always a quick study, Chamberlain has followed up that initial foray with a collection of furniture and decorative accessories for West Elm.—
Mayer Rus,
Architectural Digest,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The federal makeup of Kansas City could also force city leaders to work closer with Republican state lawmakers in Jefferson City.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Make Makeup Last Using a moisturizing primer, opting for cream‑based products, and finishing with setting spray or powder can help prevent makeup from becoming flaky or patchy in dry conditions.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But none of these ornamental flourishes can conceal his fundamental incuriosity.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Like the conventional, more ornamental Fritillaries used for bulb planting, its flowers have a lampshade look.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Michigan packed the paint on defense, basically giving the team that averaged the fifth-fewest 3-point attempts in the country this year free rein from long distance, then daring Arizona to create inside.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Adelman and assistant coach JJ Barea launched profanities at the refs while Adelman ventured to the paint to help his star up.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Standing just under two feet tall, African penguins are easy to recognize by their classic black-and-white coloring.—
Kendall Malinchock,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The apartments are almost exactly uniform in their square footage, in their coloring, and in their overall demeanor.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cosmetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cosmetic. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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