deck 1 of 2

noun

ˈdek How to pronounce deck (audio)
Definition of decknext
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

as in to decorate
to make more attractive by adding something that is beautiful or becoming deck the halls with boughs of holly

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 four-suite cabin stretches the definition of space on a single-deck jet. —Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2026 Presenting Prezi presentations works like a regular slide deck; use your keyboard’s arrow keys or your mouse to flip between elements. —Ruben Circelli, PC Magazine, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
Jenner decided to decorate her bag with even more bling, decking it out with Ashna Mehta charms. —Hannah Malach, InStyle, 27 Feb. 2026 Loop upgrades Trex to buy from hold Loop upgraded the wood decking company following earnings. —Michael Bloom, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deck
  1. balcony
  2. decorate
  3. porch
  4. adorn
  5. terrace
  6. drape
  7. trim
Noun
  • Dion last performed in Paris during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, singing from the balcony of the Eiffel Tower.
    — Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Each room has an ocean view plus a generous balcony to enjoy it from—many with hot tubs and daybeds to sweeten the deal.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of balcony
Verb
  • The ceiling is decorated with representations of Italian coins from the Etruscans to the early 20th century, the floor consists of colorful geometric mosaics, and gazing down on the scene are busts of various iconic Italian figures, from Marco Polo to Alessandro Volta.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Ben spends the afternoon buttering up Ellie and praising her cake-icing skills, and even gives her the task of decorating the wedding cake.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of decorate
Noun
  • To spend your days sunbathing and sipping Aperol spritz on your own private porch rather thaan dealing with crowds of tourists, a vacation rental is a neat solution that offers a more authentic side of the lake.
    — Madeline Weinfield, Architectural Digest, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Under the plan projected to cost $5 million, the Brown Mansion will be renovated with a front porch and cupola built to conform with the original Victorian style.
    — Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of porch
Verb
  • VeryFirstTo founder Marcel Knobil purchased two diamonds worth over $35,400 to adorn the chocolate bunny’s eyes, contributing significantly to the final price tag.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
  • VeryFirstTo founder Marcel Knobil purchased two diamonds worth over $35,400 to adorn the bunny’s eyes.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of adorn
Noun
  • Nodding to the ‘90s, these oval shades are the perfect pair to throw in your purse and pull out when Paris has one of those beautifully sunny days that practically beg for an entire afternoon sunbathing on a café terrace with a glass of rosé in hand.
    — Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Its southern counterpart, meanwhile, will be a little taller at 889 ft (270 m), with mixed-use residential space and another rooftop terrace.
    — Adam Williams April 03, New Atlas, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of terrace
Verb
  • Benedikt Althaus, who goes by Xariif, wore a tiger fursuit draped in red, white and blue stripes and splotches, reminiscent of the American flag.
    — Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Fencing draped with blue tarps has been set up in front of the lifeguard station, with a gap in the fence allowing access to its entrance.
    — Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
Definition of drape
Verb
  • Build buffer time, trim one commitment, then return to the itinerary with even gentler expectations and a simpler packing list.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026
  • His volunteering includes helping seniors by mowing their lawns, trimming their hedges and bringing them dinner on holidays.
    — Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of trim

Phrases Containing deck

Browse Nearby Words

decisiveness
deck
decked
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Cite this Entry

“Deck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deck. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on deck

Nglish: Translation of deck for Spanish Speakers

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