as in decorative
serving to add beauty
the trim on Victorian houses is sometimes elaborately ornamental
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in ornament
a small object displayed for its attractiveness or interest
a collection of fragile ornamentals kept in a glass cabinet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ornamental
Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2026
Leaning into the equestrian aesthetic of it all, the 28-year-old accessorized with a pair of black leather knee-high boots with ornamental straps and a skinny black leather belt with gold hardware.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 11 Mar. 2026
Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Feb. 2026
Prune ornamental grasses to within a foot or two of the ground before growth begins.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ornamental
Adjective
These raised garden beds with ornamental grass looks serene and tranquil in this mini backyard courtyard.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2026
Leaning into the equestrian aesthetic of it all, the 28-year-old accessorized with a pair of black leather knee-high boots with ornamental straps and a skinny black leather belt with gold hardware.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 11 Mar. 2026
Noun
The beds are planted with a mix of edibles and ornamentals that can be enjoyed from the sitting area.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Feb. 2026
Prune ornamental grasses to within a foot or two of the ground before growth begins.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ornamental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ornamental
Adjective
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Projects are moving away from decorative finishes toward natural materials—wood, stone, and layered surfaces that hold up over time.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
31 Mar. 2026
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Always a quick study, Chamberlain has followed up that initial foray with a collection of furniture and decorative accessories for West Elm.—
Mayer Rus,
Architectural Digest,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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These adorable multicolor glasses look like they’re inspired by spring garden ornaments.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Apr. 2026
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This Clinton resident creates oyster ornaments from shells collected at Madison’s Hammonasset State Park.—
Sarah Kyrcz,
Hartford Courant,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Although embedded in spectacle culture, these events occasionally presented the possibility of truly poetic clashes between languages and artistic traditions—what Glissant calls an éclat, collisions that create sparks of novelty.—
Daniel Birnbaum,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
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Small and ominous-looking, the plants are commonly sold as novelties, and many a curious child (or adult) has triggered its sinister traps with a pencil to see its amazingly rapid response.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Signs along Main Street advertise shops like WomanMade Products and hawk souvenirs.—
Beverly Gage,
The Atlantic,
5 Apr. 2026
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Many programs and coaches are judged by the number of Final Four appearances, where teams are presented with watches as a memento and, at Indianapolis, souvenir racecar helmets.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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One plastic sandwich bag full of random baubles could bring in more than $20,000 once the gold was refined.—
Alex Morris,
Rolling Stone,
19 Mar. 2026
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With its carat count, royal connections, and age, the Prince of Wales feathers brooch is a cut above many of the baubles in Queen Camilla’s impressive collection.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This small acrylic container is a great way to draw the eyes of your guests to a small knickknack of your choosing.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
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Whether antiques, cherished knickknacks, or heirlooms, items that are very delicate and/or precious to the customer are typically items house cleaners won’t want to mess with in order to cut down the risk of damaging them.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Scattered through the book is a catalog of trinkets collected by Helm, wending through eight storylines exploring the effect of matter around us, and our effect on matter.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2026
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Toward that feel, the cozy space will also include trinkets, a big TV and more.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ornamental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ornamental. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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