DECORATE Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of decorate are adorn , beautify , deck , embellish , garnish , and ornament . While all these words mean "to enhance the appearance of something by adding something unessential," decorate suggests relieving plainness or monotony by adding beauty of color or design. // decorate a birthday cake

Q: When might 'adorn' be a better fit than 'decorate'?

The synonyms adorn and decorate are sometimes interchangeable, but adorn implies an enhancing by something beautiful in itself. // a diamond necklace adorned her neck

Q: How are the words 'beautify' and 'embellish' related as synonyms of 'decorate'?

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

Q: When can 'deck' be used instead of 'decorate'?

Although the words deck and decorate have much in common, deck implies the addition of something that contributes to gaiety, splendor, or showiness. // a house all decked out for Christmas

Q: When would 'embellish' be a good substitute for 'decorate'?

The words embellish and decorate 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: Where would 'garnish' be a reasonable alternative to 'decorate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to decorate , 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 do 'ornament' and 'embellish' relate to one another, in the sense of 'decorate'?

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

decorate

verb

ˈde-kə-ˌrāt

Definition of decorate next

as in to adorn

to make more attractive by adding something that is beautiful or becoming decorated the mansion's hallways with priceless paintings and luxurious tapestries

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of decorate are adorn, beautify, deck, embellish, garnish, and ornament. While all these words mean "to enhance the appearance of something by adding something unessential," decorate suggests relieving plainness or monotony by adding beauty of color or design.

decorate a birthday cake

When might adorn be a better fit than decorate?

The synonyms adorn and decorate are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 decorate?

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

will beautify the grounds with flower beds

When can deck be used instead of decorate?

Although the words deck and decorate have much in common, deck implies the addition of something that contributes to gaiety, splendor, or showiness.

a house all decked out for Christmas

When would embellish be a good substitute for decorate?

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

embellish a page with floral borders

Where would garnish be a reasonable alternative to decorate?

While in some cases nearly identical to decorate, 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 decorate?

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 decorate Sarah Scales Design Studio works with clients across the country on everything from full-home renovations to decorating projects. —

Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2026 Sparkly, playful sunglasses kids genuinely love decorating and wearing. —

Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 9 Feb. 2026 For dinner, there are two restaurants decorated in opulent 19th-century style, one serving Viennese food, the other international cuisine. —

Caroline Law, TheWeek, 9 Feb. 2026 The police entered the house through the foyer, which was sparsely decorated, except for a piano. —

Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for decorate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for decorate

Verb

Some have been completely worn down with obscurity over time; others appear to be washed and adorned with fresh flowers on a weekly basis.

— Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
Planted orchid arrangements, from Orchids by Hausermann in Illinois, will adorn the tables.

— Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 14 Feb. 2026

Definition of adorn

Browse Nearby Words

decor

decorate

decorated

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Decorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decorate. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 15 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of decorate

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on decorate

More from Merriam-Webster

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

vertiginous

Popular in Grammar & Usage

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

'Buck naked' or 'butt naked'?

What does 'etcetera' mean?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What’s the difference between ‘cemetery’ and ‘graveyard’?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?

Why Is the Letter ‘Z’ Associated With Sleeping?

The Words of the Week - Feb. 13

Why do we call it 'ides of March'?

Popular

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?

Games & Quizzes