DECORATE Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'decorate' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of decorate are adorn , beautify , deck , embellish , garnish , and ornament . While all these words mean "to enhance the appearance of something by adding something unessential," decorate suggests relieving plainness or monotony by adding beauty of color or design. // decorate a birthday cake

Q: When might 'adorn' be a better fit than 'decorate'?

The synonyms adorn and decorate are sometimes interchangeable, but adorn implies an enhancing by something beautiful in itself. // a diamond necklace adorned her neck

Q: How are the words 'beautify' and 'embellish' related as synonyms of 'decorate'?

Beautify adds to embellish a suggestion of counterbalancing plainness or ugliness. // will beautify the grounds with flower beds

Q: When can 'deck' be used instead of 'decorate'?

Although the words deck and decorate have much in common, deck implies the addition of something that contributes to gaiety, splendor, or showiness. // a house all decked out for Christmas

Q: When would 'embellish' be a good substitute for 'decorate'?

The words embellish and decorate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, embellish often stresses the adding of superfluous or adventitious ornament. // embellish a page with floral borders

Q: Where would 'garnish' be a reasonable alternative to 'decorate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to decorate , garnish suggests decorating with a small final touch and is used especially in referring to the serving of food. // an entrée garnished with parsley

Q: How do 'ornament' and 'embellish' relate to one another, in the sense of 'decorate'?

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

decorate

verb

ˈde-kə-ˌrāt

Definition of decorate next

as in to adorn

to make more attractive by adding something that is beautiful or becoming decorated the mansion's hallways with priceless paintings and luxurious tapestries

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of decorate are adorn, beautify, deck, embellish, garnish, and ornament. While all these words mean "to enhance the appearance of something by adding something unessential," decorate suggests relieving plainness or monotony by adding beauty of color or design.

decorate a birthday cake

When might adorn be a better fit than decorate?

The synonyms adorn and decorate 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 decorate?

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

will beautify the grounds with flower beds

When can deck be used instead of decorate?

Although the words deck and decorate have much in common, deck implies the addition of something that contributes to gaiety, splendor, or showiness.

a house all decked out for Christmas

When would embellish be a good substitute for decorate?

The words embellish and decorate 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 decorate?

While in some cases nearly identical to decorate, 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 decorate?

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

Examples 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 decorate Lenny Kravitz’s Kravitz Design recently remodeled the Tower and Villa penthouses, inspired by the home of a world traveler and decorated with a global eclectic aesthetic. —

Melinda Sheckells, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024 That allows owners to decorate the tree with hanging ornaments. —

Bychris Morris, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2024 Per the Miami Herald, WFR told McClatchy News that the bobcat was half the size of a healthy bobcat and was missing the stripes and spots that usually decorate the species's coat. —

Kelli Bender, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024 Every Christmas, the family decorated a tree with apples, as was the German custom. —

Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for decorate