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

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

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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

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 decorate Instead, old-school Milanese glamour decorates every one of the 301 rooms and suites. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026 Once the hallmark of bikers, sailors, and general riff-raff, tattoos have become far more mainstream, decorating the bodies of everyone from teachers to lawyers to world-class surgeons. — Mike McRae 09, New Atlas, 9 Oct. 2026 In The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Hogsmeade village will be decorated with lights, garlands and wreaths, while the Frog Choir performs holiday music several times a day, according to the park. — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026 Lynda Levin, right, looks on as Cheryl Goodman decorates a stone during a vigil to honor of the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks in Israel at the Jewish Federation of Northwest Indiana in Munster, Indiana Wednesday October 7, 2026. — Jim Masters, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for decorate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for decorate

Verb

Pieces of fish are hand sliced to the ideal thickness and length, and beautifully adorned with garnishes that dazzle the eye and strategically heighten every bite.

— Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Designed by Mouawad, the extravagant set included a bra, thong, garter, bracelet, and hair clip adorned with nearly 9,000 diamonds and colorful gemstones, taking over 880 hours to create.

— Amanda Le, InStyle, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of adorn

Verb

The walls were draped with red velvet, while tables were spread with candles and garland.

— Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
Deep tropical moisture flowing from the Gulf will slam against the cold front when it’s draped over the Plains and fuel a multi-day flood threat.

— Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of drape

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decorated

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“Decorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decorate. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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