deck 1 of 2

as in balcony
a flat roofless structure attached to a building the family usually ate on the deck on summer evenings

Synonyms & Similar Words

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deck

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of deck are adorn, beautify, decorate, embellish, garnish, and ornament. While all these words mean "to enhance the appearance of something by adding something unessential," deck implies the addition of something that contributes to gaiety, splendor, or showiness.

a house all decked out for Christmas

When can adorn be used instead of deck?

In some situations, the words adorn and deck are roughly equivalent. However, adorn implies an enhancing by something beautiful in itself.

a diamond necklace adorned her neck

How are the words beautify and embellish related as synonyms of deck?

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

will beautify the grounds with flower beds

When could decorate be used to replace deck?

The meanings of decorate and deck largely overlap; however, decorate suggests relieving plainness or monotony by adding beauty of color or design.

decorate a birthday cake

When is embellish a more appropriate choice than deck?

The synonyms embellish and deck are sometimes interchangeable, but embellish often stresses the adding of superfluous or adventitious ornament.

embellish a page with floral borders

Where would garnish be a reasonable alternative to deck?

While the synonyms garnish and deck are close in meaning, 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 do ornament and embellish relate to one another, in the sense of deck?

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 deck
Noun
The entire family — including Magic's family — was on deck to support the basketball legend as he got honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2001. Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2025 With one out in the sixth, Johnston crushed his first homer of the night into the upper deck to tie the game at three. Isaac Azout, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
The chart-topping artist, who doubles as a Pandora brand ambassador, further decked her wrist with stacks from the brand. Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025 Virgin Voyages The adults-only cruise line decks its ships out for Halloween and features special activities on select October sailings. Nathan Diller, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deck
Noun
  • Nearby balconies were draped with black ribbons.
    D. T. Max, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
  • In Paro, Dawa at Hilltop by Heeton is the country’s largest hotel, with 87 rooms featuring private balconies and views of the surrounding peaks; its indoor pool is a nice amenity after a flight into Paro International Airport, the country’s sole international gateway.
    Katie Lockhart, Travel + Leisure, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Renovated cabins are decorated in a nostalgic mountain vibe, with plaids and wood tones reigning supreme.
    Elliott Harrell, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025
  • For dessert was a chocolate cake with brown butter vanilla buttercream icing baked by Gaby Scelzo, decorated with baby blue ruffles and pink frosted roses.
    Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Turns out, there are no rules to staging the perfect fall porch decor.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Picture yourself in a rocking chair on your wraparound porch, French doors wide open, and no clutter in sight.
    Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Dainty gold buckles adorn the soft suede straps that will hold your feet firmly in place, and the square toe design offers room for your toes to sit comfortably without feeling squished.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The father-son duo both towered over Hargitay, adorning casual clothing in snaps taken from their visit.
    Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • All staterooms and suites on Le Commandant Charcot feature private balconies or terraces with room for up to 245 guests.
    Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Upstairs, the entire fourth floor is given over to a primary suite, complete with its own terrace, cedar closet, and lounge with a fireplace and wet bar.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Threshold Chenille Throw Blanket Measuring 50 by 70 inches, the throw is large enough to drape across a sofa, bed, or an accent chair to add texture to a room while compact enough to fold up and take with you.
    Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2025
  • But Franc Fernandez, the designer of the dress that is today on display at the Park MGM in Las Vegas, had worked three long days to create it, draping butcher cuts on a mannequin torso.
    Steve Knopper, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Control expenses This means trimming or eliminating the costs that don’t directly impact growth, profitability, or long-term sustainability of your business.
    Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • To save money in 2026, MetroConnect will drop some low-ridership zones, trim operating hours and impose a three-mile cap on trips, said Natalia Jaramillo, communications director for Levine Cava.
    Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Deck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deck. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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