BEAUTIFUL Synonyms: 265 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'beautiful' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of beautiful are comely , fair , handsome , lovely , and pretty . While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses. // beautiful mountain scenery

Q: How are the words 'comely' and 'handsome' related as synonyms of 'beautiful'?

Comely is like handsome in suggesting what is coolly approved rather than emotionally responded to. // the comely grace of a dancer

Q: When can 'fair' be used instead of 'beautiful'?

The words fair and beautiful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fair suggests beauty because of purity, flawlessness, or freshness. // fair of face

Q: When could 'handsome' be used to replace 'beautiful'?

While in some cases nearly identical to beautiful , handsome suggests aesthetic pleasure due to proportion, symmetry, or elegance. // a handsome Georgian mansion

Q: How do 'lovely' and 'beautiful' relate to one another?

Lovely is close to beautiful but applies to a narrower range of emotional excitation in suggesting the graceful, delicate, or exquisite. // a lovely melody

Q: In what contexts can 'pretty' take the place of 'beautiful'?

The words pretty and beautiful can be used in similar contexts, but pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness. // a painter of conventionally pretty scenes

beautiful

adjective

ˈbyü-ti-fəl

Definition of beautiful

as in lovely

very pleasing to look at the banquet hall was decorated with beautiful flower arrangements for the reception

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in wonderful

of the very best kind you've done a beautiful job of illustrating that children's story

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective beautiful differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of beautiful are comely, fair, handsome, lovely, and pretty. While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses.

beautiful mountain scenery

How are the words comely and handsome related as synonyms of beautiful?

Comely is like handsome in suggesting what is coolly approved rather than emotionally responded to.

the comely grace of a dancer

When can fair be used instead of beautiful?

The words fair and beautiful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fair suggests beauty because of purity, flawlessness, or freshness.

fair of face

When could handsome be used to replace beautiful?

While in some cases nearly identical to beautiful, handsome suggests aesthetic pleasure due to proportion, symmetry, or elegance.

a handsome Georgian mansion

How do lovely and beautiful relate to one another?

Lovely is close to beautiful but applies to a narrower range of emotional excitation in suggesting the graceful, delicate, or exquisite.

a lovely melody

In what contexts can pretty take the place of beautiful?

The words pretty and beautiful can be used in similar contexts, but pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness.

a painter of conventionally pretty scenes

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 beautiful Their French 75, which is made with cognac, lemon and muscadet, is a perfect example thanks to a beautiful balance of elegance and ingenuity. — Blair Crosby, AJC.com, 5 July 2026 Kinugawa Ramatuelle is another A-list-adjacent favorite, set in a beautiful open-air garden with a Tokyo spirit. — Karli Poliziani, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 July 2026 Patrons who take advantage of this beautiful 45-55 minute tour will get to see all kinds of formations, created by its speleothem growth (speleothem is the catch-all term for mineral growths like stalactites, columns, and stalagmites). — Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 4 July 2026 Tunisia's Yasmine Hammamet Beach, which sits on the country's northern coast along the Mediterranean Sea, was ranked the most beautiful beach in the world, according to a study from European travel company TUI that was shared with Travel + Leisure. — Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for beautiful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for beautiful

Adjective

Especially the guy who bangs a wrecking ball against the historic East Wing to make room for an incongruous ballroom monstrosity, who mars the sacred Oval Office with gold glitter and paves over the lovely Rose Garden.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
All in all, launching the book has been an exhausting and lovely gift of an experience.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026

Definition of lovely

Adjective

While San Francisco’s bullpen is struggling, Rogers is in the midst of another excellent season after signing a three-year, $37 million deal to join the defending American League champions.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
Guests can borrow, for no charge, one of four Mate e-bikes for spins around the park or beyond, say to Tanimachi nearby for local neighborhood vibes, including charming izakayas, gyoza shops, and excellent, one-woman restaurants such as Tachiaoi.

— Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

Definition of excellent

Adjective

My colleague Erik Tice at the Dink (who does double duty as the GM for the California Black Bears) is back to maintaining his Public MLP Data sheet, which has all sorts of awesome data.

— Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Brady joins bro Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe and of course the return of Aleksander Barkov to lead what should be an awesome offense.

— Greg Cote June 28, Miami Herald, 28 June 2026

Definition of awesome

Adjective

The new depot opened in 1912 and served for many years, although the handsome tiled building was razed decades ago.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 July 2026
As Washington, William Franklyn-Miller is tall, lean and model-handsome in a way that feels out of period.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 1 July 2026

Definition of handsome

Adjective

So visitors can think of Rancho Mirage in summer as a luxury heat destination that also has five-star hotels like the Ritz Carlton and the Omni, fabulous dining, amazing golf courses, swimming pools to cool off in and more.

— Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Yes, Anjana Vasan is can’t-take-your-eyes-off-her fabulous as a PhD student who moonlights as the guitarist for the eponymous all-female, all-Muslim punk band.

— Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026

Definition of fabulous

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beautiful

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“Beautiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beautiful. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of beautiful

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