embellish

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of embellish are adorn, beautify, deck, decorate, garnish, and ornament. While all these words mean "to enhance the appearance of something by adding something unessential," embellish often stresses the adding of superfluous or adventitious ornament.

embellish a page with floral borders

When could adorn be used to replace embellish?

Although the words adorn and embellish have much in common, adorn implies an enhancing by something beautiful in itself.

a diamond necklace adorned her neck

How do beautify and embellish relate to one another?

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

will beautify the grounds with flower beds

When might deck be a better fit than embellish?

The words deck and embellish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deck implies the addition of something that contributes to gaiety, splendor, or showiness.

a house all decked out for Christmas

When can decorate be used instead of embellish?

The synonyms decorate and embellish are sometimes interchangeable, but decorate suggests relieving plainness or monotony by adding beauty of color or design.

decorate a birthday cake

Where would garnish be a reasonable alternative to embellish?

The meanings of garnish and embellish largely overlap; however, 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 are the words ornament and embellish related?

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 embellish Scarves grew to become central to Gucci’s identity, and by 1969 silk extended beyond accessories to clothing, with scarf prints embellishing shirts and dresses — a trend which has continued over the years until today. Luisa Zargani, WWD, 21 Mar. 2025 Costume designer Shirley Kurata has clearly lost the thread, putting Malkovich in Nehru jackets embellished with sprays of crystals, a sarong, gloves with rings on top and platform shoes. Mark Kennedy, Boston Herald, 20 Mar. 2025 Walls covered in De Gournay’s Slub Silk dyed Duck Egg blue and embellished with Japanese designs by Roberts painted by Roberto Mora. David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 20 Mar. 2025 An airport was built with a runway to accommodate a Concorde and a terminal building embellished with choicest European frescoes. Saleem H. Ali, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for embellish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embellish
Verb
  • The implication is that the non-college population makes nothing, an assumption that dramatically exaggerates the college payoff.
    Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Rhodes further retorted with a crude remark about Cena's microphone skills versus his physical attributes, and cautioned him against exaggerating his positive impact on WWE upon his departure.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The cake, decorated with mini eggs in pink, blue and purple, looks good enough to eat.
    Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • With a light and fluffy texture, these are ideal for topping, decorating and spreading on baked goods.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • By implementing regenerative agricultural practices, SRI focuses on enhancing soil health, conserving biodiversity, reducing chemical dependency, and promoting water conservation.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Multimillion-dollar residences on the stylish Soho strip enhance the neighborhood’s offerings, providing residents with unmatched dwellings.
    Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Speaking of the stairs, they’re adorned with a mural that adds to the weight of history the characters are constantly inspired by and suffocating under.
    Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Nestled along the sandy shores of Siloso Beach, the resort is adorned in tropical greenery, while peacocks wander freely across the gardens, hornbills perch in the frangipani trees and dinosaur-like monitor lizards sunbathe by breakfast tables.
    Nicole Trilivas, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Helping to pad the time, Booker has been reading articles, poems, court documents, personal testimonies, and think-tank pieces.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Colleges are seeking applicants who demonstrate curiosity, vulnerability, and self-awareness—qualities that can't be manufactured or padded on a resume.
    Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Embellish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embellish. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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