deck 1 of 2

noun

ˈdek How to pronounce deck (audio)
Definition of decknext
as in balcony
a flat roofless structure attached to a building the family usually ate on the deck on summer evenings

Synonyms & Similar Words

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deck

2 of 2

verb

as in to decorate
to make more attractive by adding something that is beautiful or becoming deck the halls with boughs of holly

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of deck are adorn, beautify, decorate, embellish, garnish, and ornament. While all these words mean "to enhance the appearance of something by adding something unessential," deck implies the addition of something that contributes to gaiety, splendor, or showiness.

a house all decked out for Christmas

When can adorn be used instead of deck?

In some situations, the words adorn and deck are roughly equivalent. However, 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 deck?

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

will beautify the grounds with flower beds

When could decorate be used to replace deck?

The meanings of decorate and deck largely overlap; however, decorate suggests relieving plainness or monotony by adding beauty of color or design.

decorate a birthday cake

When is embellish a more appropriate choice than deck?

The synonyms embellish and deck are sometimes interchangeable, but embellish often stresses the adding of superfluous or adventitious ornament.

embellish a page with floral borders

Where would garnish be a reasonable alternative to deck?

While the synonyms garnish and deck are close in meaning, 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 deck?

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 deck
Noun
The socks, which were not featured in the deck provided to the Herald, are expected to be mostly green with yellow and grey elements as well. —Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 16 May 2025 Improvements for summer operations would include the addition of 10 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails and four tiny 150-square-foot cabins with outdoor decks at midmountain that would be available for day-use rental. —John Meyer, Denver Post, 16 May 2025
Verb
The Polidori family arrived at McGregor Square in downtown Denver on the day of the April 4 Colorado Rockies home opener decked in team gear and jackets with the logo of their company, Polidori Sausage, stitched on the front. —Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2025 It’s topped off by a residents-only rooftop deck with indoor and outdoor areas and a pool overlooking downtown. —Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deck
  1. balcony
  2. decorate
  3. porch
  4. adorn
  5. terrace
  6. drape
  7. trim
Noun
  • Among recent one-euro listings is a four-bedroom, 100-square-meter, two-story stone dwelling in the town of Sutera, with a garage and balconies overlooking the main piazza.
    — Silvia Marchetti, CNN Money, 18 May 2025
  • No injuries were reported following the fire on the balcony of an apartment on the third floor of Bishops Place Apartments, a building at 2432 Albany Ave, according to the West Hartford West Hartford Fire Department.
    — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 18 May 2025
Definition of balcony
Verb
  • Followers often applaud her decorating skills, but also worry that living in such a cramped space could impact her health.
    — Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 18 May 2025
  • Numerous cellphone videos from nearby onlookers captured the moment the ship's masts, decorated with lights, collided with the bottom of the Brooklyn Bridge.
    — Riley Hoffman, ABC News, 17 May 2025
Definition of decorate
Noun
  • From comfortable and sturdy sectionals made for summer entertaining to a charming rocking chair that’s perfect for morning coffee or stargazing on the porch, these hidden gems are ready to upgrade your space without the splurge.
    — Toni Sutton, People.com, 17 May 2025
  • The video footage, obtained by the Miami Herald, shows officers confronting a man at gunpoint who is standing on the front porch of a house.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 17 May 2025
Definition of porch
Verb
  • The inside collar is grey, mimicking the concrete interior structure of the Monster, and is adorned with 1912, the year Fenway Park first opened.
    — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 16 May 2025
  • Some jeans are adorned with crystals, while others have a grunge and vintage, aged appearance.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 15 May 2025
Definition of adorn
Noun
  • Ahead, all the best rooftops and terraces to visit in London this summer.
    — Rachel Dube, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • Though protected from the street, the home remains deeply connected to its private yard, terrace, and the woods beyond.
    — Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 16 May 2025
Definition of terrace
Verb
  • Scout went for an entirely different look in a medium brown georgette gown with a cowl neckline and draping that created a ruching effect across her waist.
    — Catherine Santino, People.com, 13 May 2025
  • The younger brother would set up a table draped in a white cloth and recite prayers.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025
Definition of drape
Verb
  • The company also trimmed a smaller percentage of underperforming locations than Walmart has.
    — , CNBC, 19 May 2025
  • The canvas tote is trimmed in green leather, adding a subtle splash of color to the versatile bag.
    — Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2025
Definition of trim

Phrases Containing deck

Browse Nearby Words

decisiveness
deck
decked
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Cite this Entry

“Deck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deck. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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