as in ornamental
serving to add beauty
a necklace of decorative flowers was planted along the path to the cottage
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Recent Examples of decorative
Evalina Moreno, of Valparaiso, volunteers with the Art Barn, which took over the Valpo Creates Center on Indiana Avenue for a project that helped kids make pocket sketchbooks, a craft that involves gluing a decorative card to an envelope flap so the envelope could hold treasures.
—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2026
Eastern spiritual elements appear throughout — from statuary to a celestial dome ceiling — and the entry is marked by craftsmanship that’s meant to be more than decorative.
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David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
26 June 2026
Scenes from the Old and New Testaments unfold across its length, set within an elaborate decorative scheme inspired by Roman ornamentation.
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Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
26 June 2026
This sleeveless maxi dress has a flattering scoop neck and subtle decorative seams that provide the perfect amount of texture to the simple staple piece.
—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for decorative
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2026
Eastern spiritual elements appear throughout — from statuary to a celestial dome ceiling — and the entry is marked by craftsmanship that’s meant to be more than decorative.
—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
26 June 2026
Scenes from the Old and New Testaments unfold across its length, set within an elaborate decorative scheme inspired by Roman ornamentation.
—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
26 June 2026
This sleeveless maxi dress has a flattering scoop neck and subtle decorative seams that provide the perfect amount of texture to the simple staple piece.
—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for decorative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decorative
ornamental
Adjective
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Because its founders, the Faro family, built a small empire in Sicily from an ornamental plant business that grew into one of the largest Mediterranean plant nurseries in Europe, exporting more than 5,000 varieties to 60 countries.
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These stunning ornamental shrubs showcase flower heads in a dazzling array of colors, including vibrant purples, charming pinks, and serene blues that bloom across various climates.
Cite this Entry
“Decorative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decorative. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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