ORNAMENT Synonyms: 124 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

ornament 1 of 2

noun

ˈȯr-nə-mənt

Definition of ornament

as in decoration

something that decorates or beautifies her collection of plaster gnomes which she uses as lawn ornaments

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ornament

2 of 2

verb

ˈȯr-nə-ˌment

as in to decorate

to make more attractive by adding something that is beautiful or becoming delicate crystal figurines ornament the mantel over the fireplace

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 first offerings will include pieces inspired by Byzantine artworks including imperial medallions, architectural ornaments, and statuary. — Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 13 Aug. 2026 This outdoor ornament can become a water feature by incorporating a fountain or water garden nearby. — Savanna Bous, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2026

Verb

Blazy’s Chanel was a story of lightness that began with transparent silk mousseline pieces and flourished into dresses and suits and dresses ornamented with layers of feathers. — CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026 At the ceremony on January 11, Lopez wore a haute couture archival Jean Louis Scherrer gown from 2003 which featured hundreds of yards of silk tulle and is both appliquéd with lace and ornamented with stones. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 23 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ornament

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ornament

Noun

Dinosaur decorations plastered the area and shelves carried books like Pikachu’s First Friends, referring to the iconic yellow Pokémon character.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 30 Aug. 2026
Plenty of cat decorations are also seen alongside his wife’s work, such as trinkets in the office and pillows in one of the bedrooms.

— Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of decoration

Verb

The walls are decorated with memories, paintings and artwork, like needlework from his wife that depicts cats in their leisure time.

— Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026
Over the course of two long and decorated MLB careers — which includes Heyward’s five Gold Gloves, Freeman’s 10 All-Star selections, and five World Series rings between the two of them — their paths diverged and reconnected multiple times.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of decorate

Verb

But the very act of putting on a wearable—of willingly adorning oneself with a tiny computerized narc—is an act of surrender.

— Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
The politician proposed with a glamorous three-stone engagement ring adorned with diamonds, emeralds, and rubies.

— Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of adorn

Noun

The primary consideration governing watches, jewelry and other personal adornment is player safety.

— Anthony DeMarco, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
The adornments will include traditional dress, crafts, pottery, baskets, blankets, posters or anything the decorators choose to show off about their heritage.

— Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of adornment

Browse Nearby Words

orisons

ornament

ornamental

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ornament.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ornament. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of ornament

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on ornament

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes