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
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2025
Many small ornamental trees brighten the Chicago region with their spring blooms: redbuds, crabapples, serviceberries, magnolias, wild plums and many more.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Jan. 2025
These vertically growing junipers are used as privacy screens and backdrops for other ornamentals.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ornamental
Adjective
Cuban treefrogs tend to lay their eggs in small artificial water sources, such as buckets, bird baths, ornamental ponds, clogged gutters, rain barrels, flower pots, kiddie pools, and water troughs.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2025
Many small ornamental trees brighten the Chicago region with their spring blooms: redbuds, crabapples, serviceberries, magnolias, wild plums and many more.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
Noun
While deicers are frequently necessary for safety reasons, these products can damage your plants, causing lawns and ornamentals to turn brown and die back.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Jan. 2025
These vertically growing junipers are used as privacy screens and backdrops for other ornamentals.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ornamental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ornamental
Adjective
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The swimming pool, nicknamed The Tank, is gone, though the decorative tiles remain.—
Everett Potter,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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The scalloped edges strike again in this rattan tray, which can hold decorative items like an oversized knot sculpture or serve as a mini drink station in your home office—something Open Door alum Kathy Hilton once suggested to her daughter Paris. .—
Blake Bakkila,
Architectural Digest,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Isabelle McCalla gives an endearing, heartfelt and sometimes tearful performance as Elinor, who sings poignantly about her desire to be more useful in society than just a child-bearing ornament.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2025
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The species’s presence in the U.K. dates back at least two hundred and fifty thousand years, and has inspired whimsical reverence—badgers appear across children’s literature and cartoons, on holiday ornaments, and as beloved mascots—and extreme loathing.—
Anna Russell,
The New Yorker,
10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Breton’s victory can partially be attributed to the relative novelty of his project (which transplanted Freud from the clinic to the gallery), in contrast to Goll’s vaguer claims to radical change.—
Jonathon Keats,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
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Cast at center the majority of his career, the 3-pointer largely was novelty, as can be the case with many centers.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Universal’s new park has the rare opportunity to model that future — building an experience where every corner, every bite, and every souvenir carries the wonder and storytelling power that defines truly great leisure destinations.—
Kate Hardcastle,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
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Make your own perfume For a truly authentic Bermudian souvenir, stop by the Lili Bermuda Perfumery to create a custom scent or shop their line of handcrafted fragrances inspired by island botanicals.—
Skye Sherman,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
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On Sunday, traders of every nationality were already scouring its labyrinthine International Trade City, colloquially known as simply Yiwu Market, for samples of festive baubles and tinsel.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
28 Mar. 2025
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Perez said the Legislature needs to resist the shiny new baubles dangled in front of them by lobbyists and special interest groups and cut unnecessary spending.—
Jeffrey Schweers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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If that’s true, then sure, waste wall space in your kitchen for knickknacks.—
Sherry Kuehl,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 2025
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This backpack's interior is nicely organized with pen holders, a mesh pocket, and a few other slots for your knickknacks, plus a padded section for a 16-inch laptop.—
Adrienne So,
WIRED,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The top tier has a 40-inch-wide surface area, which is large enough to place magazines and trinkets on one side and a tray with snacks and drinks on the other for entertaining.—
Rachel Trujillo,
People.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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The store straddles a mood between Californian cool and British rock-star lair, with eyewear displayed amid vintage books and charming trinkets, like a ceramic cigar-smoking Winston Churchill.—
Miles Socha,
WWD,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Fanatics is Michael Rubin’s sports lifestyle holding company, a dominant player in apparel, collectibles, and media.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 2025
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Each level ends with a grading system based on time, kills, and combos — as well as specific challenges and collectibles.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
16 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ornamental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ornamental. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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