ornament 1 of 2

ornament

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verb

Synonym Chooser

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

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

When is it sensible to use adorn instead of ornament?

The synonyms adorn and ornament 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 ornament?

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 ornament?

In some situations, the words deck and ornament are roughly equivalent. However, deck implies the addition of something that contributes to gaiety, splendor, or showiness.

a house all decked out for Christmas

In what contexts can decorate take the place of ornament?

While in some cases nearly identical to ornament, decorate suggests relieving plainness or monotony by adding beauty of color or design.

decorate a birthday cake

When can embellish be used instead of ornament?

The words embellish and ornament 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 ornament?

Although the words garnish and ornament have much in common, garnish suggests decorating with a small final touch and is used especially in referring to the serving of food.

an entrée garnished with parsley

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 ornament
Noun
The crossover will see three new armor ornaments, inspired by Star Wars' Stormtroopers, added to the game. Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025 Victorian homes are characterized by elaborate detailing, expressive ornament, and a sense of grandeur. Lauren Gallow, Architectural Digest, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
Rothschild, neighbors said, maintained a vintage car collection, storing some at his house and others up the street at another property that was ornamented with busts of great thinkers including Raphael and Michelangelo -- and several security cameras. Daniel Miller Los Angeles Times (tns), arkansasonline.com, 30 Nov. 2024 Rothschild, neighbors said, maintained a vintage car collection, storing some at his house and others up the street at another property that was ornamented with busts of great thinkers including Raphael and Michelangelo — and several security cameras. Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 28 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for ornament
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ornament
Noun
  • In the script, Auburn offers a blank canvas — no instructions for set decoration.
    Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration in the U.S. for valor on the battlefield.
    Julie Depenbrock, NPR, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Kids can take a photo with the Easter Bunny, get their faces painted, decorate cookies and participate in egg hunts.
    Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
  • The area was decorated with a Palestinian flag hanging by the counter and string lights and crescent moons hanging from the awnings.
    Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Things got back on track, and Longstreth played another demo: melismatic ornamentation, vocal harmonies, and shifting tonal centers.
    Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
  • The fireplace mantle featured simple greenery, and the side tables had minimal ornamentation.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Featuring six unique designs adorned with rhinestones and dazzling details, these accessories—from purses to wallets— showcase the iconic PEEPS Bunny and Chick, adding a playful surprise to your Easter ensemble.
    Lanee Lee, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Enjoy the Hill Country Scenery and Trails Both locals and travelers love to frequent the stunning blue waters at Jacob’s Well Natural Area and Blue Hole Regional Park, which offers 126 acres including shady trails and a crisp, clear swimming hole adorned with rope swings.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The adornments cover the entire bodice and torso, as well as sprinkled down the length of the piece.
    Raven Brunner, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Its only adornment was a framed picture of Mazen, the same one that had been on the handbills.
    Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ornament.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ornament. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ornament

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