DECORATE Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'decorate' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of decorate are adorn , beautify , deck , embellish , garnish , and ornament . While all these words mean "to enhance the appearance of something by adding something unessential," decorate suggests relieving plainness or monotony by adding beauty of color or design. // decorate a birthday cake

Q: When might 'adorn' be a better fit than 'decorate'?

The synonyms adorn and decorate are sometimes interchangeable, but adorn implies an enhancing by something beautiful in itself. // a diamond necklace adorned her neck

Q: How are the words 'beautify' and 'embellish' related as synonyms of 'decorate'?

Beautify adds to embellish a suggestion of counterbalancing plainness or ugliness. // will beautify the grounds with flower beds

Q: When can 'deck' be used instead of 'decorate'?

Although the words deck and decorate have much in common, deck implies the addition of something that contributes to gaiety, splendor, or showiness. // a house all decked out for Christmas

Q: When would 'embellish' be a good substitute for 'decorate'?

The words embellish and decorate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, embellish often stresses the adding of superfluous or adventitious ornament. // embellish a page with floral borders

Q: Where would 'garnish' be a reasonable alternative to 'decorate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to decorate , garnish suggests decorating with a small final touch and is used especially in referring to the serving of food. // an entrée garnished with parsley

Q: How do 'ornament' and 'embellish' relate to one another, in the sense of 'decorate'?

Both ornament and embellish imply the adding of something extraneous, ornament stressing the heightening or setting off of the original. // a white house ornamented with green shutters

decorate

verb

ˈde-kə-ˌrāt

Definition of decorate

as in to adorn

to make more attractive by adding something that is beautiful or becoming decorated the mansion's hallways with priceless paintings and luxurious tapestries

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word decorate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of decorate are adorn, beautify, deck, embellish, garnish, and ornament. While all these words mean "to enhance the appearance of something by adding something unessential," decorate suggests relieving plainness or monotony by adding beauty of color or design.

decorate a birthday cake

When might adorn be a better fit than decorate?

The synonyms adorn and decorate are sometimes interchangeable, but adorn implies an enhancing by something beautiful in itself.

a diamond necklace adorned her neck

How are the words beautify and embellish related as synonyms of decorate?

Beautify adds to embellish a suggestion of counterbalancing plainness or ugliness.

will beautify the grounds with flower beds

When can deck be used instead of decorate?

Although the words deck and decorate have much in common, deck implies the addition of something that contributes to gaiety, splendor, or showiness.

a house all decked out for Christmas

When would embellish be a good substitute for decorate?

The words embellish and decorate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, embellish often stresses the adding of superfluous or adventitious ornament.

embellish a page with floral borders

Where would garnish be a reasonable alternative to decorate?

While in some cases nearly identical to decorate, garnish suggests decorating with a small final touch and is used especially in referring to the serving of food.

an entrée garnished with parsley

How do ornament and embellish relate to one another, in the sense of decorate?

Both ornament and embellish imply the adding of something extraneous, ornament stressing the heightening or setting off of the original.

a white house ornamented with green shutters

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 decorate In the eighties, Clemente had decorated the walls of the Palladium, a Steve Rubell night club. — Emma Allen, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026 Porch decorating businesses are popping up all over the country, ready to bring the pumpkin patch to your doorstep. — Brendan Cosgrove, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2026 The tiny flowers, dotted with crystals, are set against a pink mesh lace backdrop decorated with more crystal details. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026 Heading to their classrooms, children in top hats, crisp white shirts and ties dash up and down a staircase decorated with a riot of brightly colored posters. — Julie Bourdin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for decorate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for decorate

Verb

Hiding his Caesar cut under his signature New York Yankees cap and adorned with a glittery stack of gold chains, JAY-Z kept his setlist as tight as his concert attire of bulletproof vests.

— Adelle Platon, VIBE.com, 24 Oct. 2026
For the closing set, according to a photo posted on X and various videos, the legendary rocker was lifted onto the stage while seated on a black throne adorned with skulls and topped with a black bat.

— Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of adorn

Verb

When El Viejo del Costal (Michael Galvan) appeared onstage during a recent performance, draped in rough burlap, his movements liquid and slithering, a kid in the audience whimpered.

— Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
On Monday, police held a commissioner march, as officers marched in attention from Archbishop Ryan High School underneath an American flag draped from a fire truck to the Givnish Funeral Home in Northeast Philly.

— Kerri Corrado, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of drape

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decor

decorate

decorated

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

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