1
as in ornaments
something that decorates or beautifies
a colorful mobile is just the embellishment that the soon-to-be nursery needs
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in exaggerations
the representation of something in terms that go beyond the facts
the actor's penchant for embellishment suggests that his memoirs would be more appropriately shelved in the fiction section
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of embellishments
Bella glistened in a gold Elie Saab gown from the Fall-Winter 2004 Haute Couture collection, featuring a small train and silver embellishments.
—
Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
The look was comprised of a strapless dress with a scalloped neckline and shimmering crystal embellishments throughout, echoing a starry sky.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 19 May 2026
Little side stories, embellishments, enlargements — and part of ‘The Hunt for Gollum’ is described in that.
—Andy Hazel, IndieWire, 14 May 2026
While Calvin Klein normally does away with fussy embellishments and patterns, stripes remain the only exception, thanks to their resort casual look that instantly elevates an outfit while keeping it understated.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2026
Combining functionality with fashionability, while maintaining Vuori’s sleek silhouettes, simple embellishments and a quiet color palette.
—Kaio Cesar, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Guests brought to the event pops of red from Kawakubo's palette, intricate embellishments and sheer fabrics.
—Luis Giraldo, CBS News, 4 May 2026
In the photo, Ella is posing for a photographer in a long-sleeve black gown covered in sparkling floral embellishments.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 10 Apr. 2026
Known for their bold and glamorous designs, Gucci’s round gradient metal pair features oversized frames, logo embellishments and gradient lenses.
—Jené Luciani Sena, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
The look was comprised of a strapless dress with a scalloped neckline and shimmering crystal embellishments throughout, echoing a starry sky.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 19 May 2026
Little side stories, embellishments, enlargements — and part of ‘The Hunt for Gollum’ is described in that.
—Andy Hazel, IndieWire, 14 May 2026
While Calvin Klein normally does away with fussy embellishments and patterns, stripes remain the only exception, thanks to their resort casual look that instantly elevates an outfit while keeping it understated.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2026
Combining functionality with fashionability, while maintaining Vuori’s sleek silhouettes, simple embellishments and a quiet color palette.
—Kaio Cesar, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Guests brought to the event pops of red from Kawakubo's palette, intricate embellishments and sheer fabrics.
—Luis Giraldo, CBS News, 4 May 2026
In the photo, Ella is posing for a photographer in a long-sleeve black gown covered in sparkling floral embellishments.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 10 Apr. 2026
Known for their bold and glamorous designs, Gucci’s round gradient metal pair features oversized frames, logo embellishments and gradient lenses.
—Jené Luciani Sena, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embellishments
Noun
-
Make Your Own Art Make time for Sunspots Studios, a glassblowing studio where visitors can catch a live demonstration and choose some beautiful glass to take home, such as ornaments, vases, hummingbird feeders, and jewelry.—
Erin Gifford,
Southern Living,
13 May 2026
-
Create a sculpture trail by adding unique plant pedestals and pots as well as sculptures and glass lawn ornaments.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Williams, of course, worked at NBC for nearly three decades, including an 11-year run at NBC Nightly News that ended 2015 after exaggerations and falsehoods were found in some of his reporting, including reports from Iraq, and from New Orleans after it had been ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The lurch from declaring fears about Iran to be mere media exaggerations to invoking imminent threat, from demanding the Nobel Peace Prize to luxuriating in lethality, is the essence of the autocrat’s monopoly on unpredictability.—
Fintan O’Toole,
The New York Review of Books,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The receptionist works behind a period cabinet converted into the sort of desk Philip Marlowe would happily put his feet on and Art Deco ornamentations abound, from the beautiful clocks, to the slightly sinister candlesticks.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In time, reticules became more ornate and decorative, fashioned in delicate silks and velvets with intricate embroideries.—
Andrea Zendejas,
Vogue,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Vogue points to bold and bright sneakers for spring, plus those with details like sequins and floral embroideries, among other trends.—
Claire Peltier,
ABC News,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Among Collington's awards and decorations was the Army Service Ribbon.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
-
That's according to Lauren Downing Peters, associate professor of fashion studies at Columbia College Chicago, who says these clothes, decorations and products harken to a previous time, rather than look forward, showing how America's birthday can be a unifying force in divided moments.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Many had argued that the banner, which largely meditates on the violence of the Suharto dictatorship in Indonesia, contained antisemitic caricatures.—
Harrison Jacobs,
ARTnews.com,
12 May 2026
-
Watching the pair scheme in crisp shot-reverse-shot carries much of the film’s easy charm, like witnessing a pair of Al Hirschfeld caricatures suddenly brought to life.—
Ben Croll,
IndieWire,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
The designer Christian Dior’s signature and wickerwork shells are among other adornments.—
Jennifer Weil,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
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Fleetwood wore a silk blazer with several silver adornments and accessorized the look with a pair of bracelets on his right arm and a wide gold wedding band on his left hand.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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As part of that package, Republicans included $1 billion for White House security enhancements, part of it connected to Trump’s ballroom.—
Mary Clare Jalonick,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
-
Car parts that have been altered or exchanged Cars that feature aftermarket components or enhancements that alter their function may void their warranty.—
Kate Tully Ellsworth,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Embellishments.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embellishments. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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