pretty 1 of 3

adverb

ˈpri-tē How to pronounce pretty (audio)
Definition of prettynext
as in relatively
to some degree or extent we've had some pretty cold weather lately

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

pretty

2 of 3

adjective

ˈpri-tē How to pronounce pretty (audio)
1
as in nice
giving pleasure or contentment to the mind or senses she was not a pretty sight after she fell off her horse and into the mud

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in suitable
meeting the requirements of a purpose or situation their misalliance is as pretty an example of an ill-conceived marriage as you're likely to find

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in beautiful
very pleasing to look at a pretty young girl

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

pretty

3 of 3

noun

as in looker

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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For
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a pretty picture
a cute picture
a gorgeous picture
a beautiful picture
a lovely picture
a fabulous picture
a pretty place
a stunning place
a picturesque place
a scenic place
an aesthetic place
a gorgeous place
a pretty dress
a stylish dress
an adorable dress
a fabulous dress
a fashionable dress
a great dress
a pretty name
a lovely name
a neat name
a wonderful name
a pleasant name
a nice name

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective pretty differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of pretty are beautiful, comely, fair, handsome, and lovely. While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness.

a painter of conventionally pretty scenes

When is beautiful a more appropriate choice than pretty?

The words beautiful and pretty can be used in similar contexts, but beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses.

beautiful mountain scenery

How do comely and handsome relate to one another, in the sense of pretty?

Comely is like handsome in suggesting what is coolly approved rather than emotionally responded to.

the comely grace of a dancer

Where would fair be a reasonable alternative to pretty?

In some situations, the words fair and pretty are roughly equivalent. However, fair suggests beauty because of purity, flawlessness, or freshness.

fair of face

When might handsome be a better fit than pretty?

While in some cases nearly identical to pretty, handsome suggests aesthetic pleasure due to proportion, symmetry, or elegance.

a handsome Georgian mansion

How are the words lovely and beautiful related as synonyms of pretty?

Lovely is close to beautiful but applies to a narrower range of emotional excitation in suggesting the graceful, delicate, or exquisite.

a lovely melody

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 pretty
Adverb
Senior forward Mariel Lopez is pretty philosophical about her game for East Aurora. —Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025 This pan is pretty middle of the pack performance-wise. —Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
According to the detectives, those who knew Schepers remembered her as nice, pretty, and someone who easily made friends. —Saleen Martin, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025 Always angling to be the good daughter, the obedient one, the ladylike one, the prettier one. —Lynette Rice, Deadline, 22 Mar. 2025
Noun
Sustainable and oh-so-pretty, this skirt was made to accentuate curves. —Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2023 Stretched along a river in the heart of the Netherlands, the town of Wageningen is not postcard-pretty. —Marta Zaraska, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2019 See All Example Sentences for pretty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretty
  1. relatively
  2. nice
  3. suitable
  4. beautiful
  5. looker
  6. quite
  7. pleasant
  8. appropriate
Adverb
  • But if Trump lowers them through negotiations relatively quickly, the worst-case scenario can be avoided.
    — Time, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Eventually, the relatively small investment saw a huge spike in value.
    — Rodolfo Delgado, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of relatively
Adjective
  • This is a nice improvement, though short of Apple's 10-hour estimate.
    — PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 29 Mar. 2025
  • The 2032 Olympics in Brisbane, Ruthe adds, would be a nice target.
    — George Ramsay and Patrick Snell, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of nice
Adjective
  • This content is not, nor is intended to be, trading or investment advice or a recommendation that any investment product or strategy is suitable for any person. Follow me on Twitter.
    — JJ Kinahan, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Securities, investment products, other financial products or strategies discussed herein may not be suitable for all investors.
    — Katie Stockton, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of suitable
Adjective
  • There are these beautiful moments of the scene kind of mirroring the real world experience of having this happen in the show.
    — Samantha Highfill, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Synonymous with quiet luxury, Jenni Kayne’s cropped cashmere cardigan is perfect for casual moments in beautiful places.
    — Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of beautiful
Noun
  • The bathroom is also a looker with mosaic, colorful floors.
    — TJ Macias, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2025
  • Nature is captured with the brush and consumed, endlessly, at the looker’s leisure.
    — Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
Definition of looker
Adverb
  • There are few experiences that encapsulate the magic of New York City quite like seeing a Broadway show.
    — Judy Koutsky, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • New Jersey's and Massachusetts' income tax rates are quite high (10.8 percent and 9 percent, respectively), but Louisiana's is only 3 percent.
    — Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of quite
Adjective
  • The keyboard itself is pleasant enough to type on, with moderate feedback while avoiding the squishy feel some budget systems have.
    — PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
  • From the point of view of Paul, Weiss, having to strike this arrangement wasn’t pleasant, but the price was tolerable.
    — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of pleasant
Adjective
  • Zeb Scoville and Emily what would be the appropriate tagline to put on this and immediately everybody said, 'Tough and Competent.
    — Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Try to consult with the appropriate professionals if needed.
    — Kyle Thomas, People.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of appropriate

Phrases Containing pretty

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prettiness
pretty
pretty boy
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Cite this Entry

“Pretty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretty. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.

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