arabesque

adjective

Definition of arabesquenext
as in rococo

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 arabesque Bettina followed these in 1971 with a group of wooden sculptures and line drawings exploring similar arabesque shapes. — Katherine Rochester, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2026 The 20-meter pool with its eight columns of arabesque marble create a striking centerpiece for enjoying a treatment with Augustinus Bader products—or for simply taking a swim beside the 19th-century replicas of classical statues. — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 16 July 2025 The decor is decidedly beachy — twisted abaca chairs, linen cushions and curtains, and arabesque tile floors that immediately cool your feet when coming inside from the nearby beach. — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2025 The gold is entirely carved by hand and features detailed ornamental designs of arabesque garlands and elements of the Calatrava cross, all of which take more than 100 hours to engrave. — Rebecca Suhrawardi, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2024 See All Example Sentences for arabesque
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arabesque
  1. rococo
  2. baroque
  3. ornate
  4. gingerbread
  5. showy
Adjective
  • The palazzo is rococo — the architect restored it and put modern Italian furniture inside.
    — Beth Landman, HollywoodReporter, 21 June 2025
  • To become Edna, Humphries would put on a mauve wig, an increasingly rococo pair of eyeglasses and a glittering gown that screeched conspicuous consumption.
    — Ben Brantley, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2023
Definition of rococo
Adjective
  • The Ramos Gin Fizz thrives as the last extant representative of the category, like Macy’s Herald Square or modern day Vienna, a decadent and baroque monument to a once-vast empire.
    — Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2026
  • His third novel Ninety-Two in the Shade was a finalist for the National Book Award; fans say its baroque intelligence and post-hippie hangover were too real for the judges.
    — Ryan Chapman, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of baroque
Adjective
  • Next up is a house tour, from the cavernous, all-white living room to a glimpse of the ornate indoor pool, with V lamenting that the place is so huge he sometimes gets lost.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Many of its original details, from formal entry galleries and large terraces to ornate moldings and herringbone floors, remain.
    — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of ornate
Adjective
  • The bottoms are basically Molly’s baseball cap, which looks like a dome with a bill just plonked onto it, and Shannon’s wings, which the judges say are just a gingerbread cookie with some icing on it.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Motifs are gingerbread and baroque.
    — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2026
Definition of gingerbread
Adjective
  • In late spring and summer, the showy flowers emit a light scent and attract all kinds of pollinators.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The modern version is far more sumptuous than the hard-wearing trousers of our youth—an everyman’s velvet, rich but rarely showy.
    — John Vorwald, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of showy

Browse Nearby Words

aquiver
arabesque
arable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Arabesque.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arabesque. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on arabesque

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about arabesque

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All