embellishing 1 of 2

adjective

as in decorative
serving to add beauty the chef tends to overuse sprigs of parsley and other embellishing garnishes on dishes that don't need them

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

embellishing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of embellish
1
as in exaggerating
to add to the interest of by including made-up details the story of the comic marriage proposal was embellished as it passed from one generation to the next in the family

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decorating
to make more attractive by adding something that is beautiful or becoming the walls of the French restaurant are embellished with scenes of Parisian life

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 embellishing
Verb
Mohajir and Dela Cruz would benefit from embellishing both their plating and their messaging. — John Kessler, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 Both pieces from the look featured a bevy of sparkle and shine, thanks in no small part to the glittering tassels embellishing the bandeau and the maxiskirt. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026 This week, the retailer shared an Instagram video showing a woman applying a Biodance face mask before embellishing the product with colorful plastic gems. — Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026 Despite embellishing his movie with period-accurate clothes, decor, and music, Mitchell has no deep attachment to the period at all. — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026 Mills has been previously accused of embellishing his military record. — Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026 Even his close friends accuse Bret of embellishing the truth for creative purposes, not incidentally an accusation both Ellis and Murphy have often faced. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026 Beyond that, there is the knowledge that every game, every performance, every dramatic intervention on Argentina’s behalf, is embellishing a sporting legacy that already seemed complete. — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 19 July 2026 In a competitive job market, appearing behind can feel riskier than embellishing skills. — Susan Jacobson, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embellishing
  1. decorative
  2. exaggerating
  3. decorating
  4. ornamental
  5. coloring
  6. adorning
  7. padding
  8. draping
Adjective
  • The Threshold overhaul began in June with the team tackling decorative home first while the aesthetic started to broaden.
    — David Moin, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026
  • City train stations were filled with decorative ornamentation, public art and monuments, and other luxurious touches.
    — James Folta, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of decorative
Verb
  • But to imply that a world-class athlete is exaggerating an injury to preserve his reputation is a staggering lapse in judgment.
    — Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • South Korea’s military, which often accuses the North of exaggerating its military technologies, did not immediately comment on KCNA’s report.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of exaggerating
Verb
  • Social media adds its own momentum, with shoppers sharing seasonal store displays, decorating ideas and new Halloween collections.
    — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The National Retail Federation’s Halloween research documents the widening set of ways people participate, including decorating, dressing up and taking part in activities that reward early preparation.
    — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of decorating
Adjective
  • Fortunately, the ornamental plant nursery helped sustain the business during that difficult period, and the experience pushed Ingrid to diversify the farm.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Its vibrant Emerald Check pattern extends from the base plate to the lid, which is topped with an ornamental glass knob that feels fit for royalty.
    — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of ornamental
Verb
  • The team revised Rotta’s face and coloring to bring him closer to Jabba while refining his muscular physique.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • But this sonic direction can also prevent Mud from coloring outside the lines.
    — Enzo Escober, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of coloring
Verb
  • Tourism picks up Whether arriving from within Chile or overseas, tourists are venturing into the remote, inhospitable areas of the Atacama to admire the millions of flowers adorning vast areas of the desert, stretching from the coast to the horizon.
    — Nayara Batschke, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Growing up thousands of miles away from the Hollywood sign in Bratislava, Slovakia, ADÉLA spent her childhood studying American pop stars and had posters of Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande and Britney Spears adorning her bedroom walls.
    — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of adorning
Verb
  • But one expert estimated the diesel waiver alone could help Russian exporters net $30 to $40 more per ton, in turn padding Moscow’s tax revenue.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Trump won the area in 2020 by 2 points before padding his victory to 9 points in 2024.
    — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of padding
Verb
  • The bodice of the dress was gathered at the front, giving way to a long, draping skirt.
    — Meg Walters, InStyle, 23 Oct. 2026
  • These covers wrap individual seat, back or chaise cushions rather than draping the whole couch at once.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of draping

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Cite this Entry

“Embellishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embellishing. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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