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 This is a beautiful expression of life continuing after death. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 The wellness programming and the spa treatments are world-class and the setting is just off-the-charts beautiful. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026 This was an exciting, imaginative, and beautiful story about grief, family, parallel universes, trees, and mushrooms. — Cooper Katz McKim, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026 Luckily the damage appears to be mostly cosmetic, and the beautiful balustrades, stained glass, and mahogany built-ins have survived the makeover unscathed. — Nora Deligter, Curbed, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for beautiful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for beautiful

Adjective

Montserrat Collection Residence Set within a 1930s French-style building, this lovely home features contemporary Argentine art and mid-century design.

— Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026
But Mi-ok is game to be interviewed, and her words spring to life in wistfully lovely flashbacks.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of lovely

Adjective

An itinerary of hikes, wine tastings, and a sunset cruise offering incredible views of the Santa Barbara coastline is a wonderful way to end the day, while a cozy house with a garden will add to everyone’s enjoyment.

— Vogue, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2026
The improbable evening turned into a moving tribute to both Capra himself and his tale of the suicidal banker George Bailey, who comes to realize that his life has indeed been wonderful.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of wonderful

Adjective

Spiced Cream Cheese Bundt Cake Adding pumpkin spice to half the batter before putting the two components together creates a magnificent swirl pattern that your holiday guests will ooh and aah over when cutting into this gorgeous cake.

— Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2026
In contrast to the gorgeous monochrome visuals, this is a land that stinks of complicity and delusion — of opportunists desperate to scramble onto the right side of history.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of gorgeous

Adjective

His 28-yard touchdown reception from Sam Darnold late in the second quarter beat Delane, who had excellent position.

— Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
The biggest key for the Brewers in this game is to see if their bullpen can keep their excellent pitching alive.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of excellent

Adjective

At their on-screen meet cute, Apatow hands Bamford $500 cash just to pitch her on her own documentary.

— Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
The showstopper is a very cute idea where each baker has to make a dessert cart with at least three classic desserts on it.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of cute

Adjective

This handsome volume runs through 90 European venues, breaking down their unique features, acoustic qualities and performance histories (recent and not so).

— Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Skarsgård’s wicker man is tall, blonde and handsome on the outside, but hollow by design.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of handsome

Adjective

L3Harris claims its design can deliver greater range and speed than existing systems.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Tarantino revealed the most personally meaningful piece of casting in a film filled with great performances — including supporting turns by multiple actors (Austin Butler, Mikey Madison, Sydney Sweeney) who have blown up in the seven years since.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of great

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beautifies

beautiful

beautifully

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“Beautiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beautiful. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of beautiful

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