EMBELLISHING Synonyms: 139 Similar and Opposite Words

embellishing 1 of 2

adjective

as in decorative

serving to add beauty the chef tends to overuse sprigs of parsley and other embellishing garnishes on dishes that don't need them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

embellishing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of embellish

as in exaggerating

to add to the interest of by including made-up details the story of the comic marriage proposal was embellished as it passed from one generation to the next in the family

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in decorating

to make more attractive by adding something that is beautiful or becoming the walls of the French restaurant are embellished with scenes of Parisian life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 embellishing

Verb

Mohajir and Dela Cruz would benefit from embellishing both their plating and their messaging. — John Kessler, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 Both pieces from the look featured a bevy of sparkle and shine, thanks in no small part to the glittering tassels embellishing the bandeau and the maxiskirt. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026 This week, the retailer shared an Instagram video showing a woman applying a Biodance face mask before embellishing the product with colorful plastic gems. — Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026 Despite embellishing his movie with period-accurate clothes, decor, and music, Mitchell has no deep attachment to the period at all. — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026 Mills has been previously accused of embellishing his military record. — Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026 Even his close friends accuse Bret of embellishing the truth for creative purposes, not incidentally an accusation both Ellis and Murphy have often faced. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026 Beyond that, there is the knowledge that every game, every performance, every dramatic intervention on Argentina’s behalf, is embellishing a sporting legacy that already seemed complete. — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 19 July 2026 In a competitive job market, appearing behind can feel riskier than embellishing skills. — Susan Jacobson, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for embellishing

Adjective

The oversize everyday bag continues to dominate, particularly in supple suede finishes, while mini and micro bags remain relevant through playful interpretations featuring embroidery, charms and decorative details.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Complete the transformation with fresh bedding, decorative pillows, or a cozy throw.

— Ethan Stone October 9, Idaho Statesman, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of decorative

Verb

Attorneys who represent officers that have sued the department over whistleblower retaliation dismiss the claim by Chief Jim McDonnell and others that some cops are exaggerating their claims in pursuit of a big payday.

— Sean Greene, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
The South Korean military, which often accuses North Korea of exaggerating its military capabilities, did not immediately comment on Kim's claims.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of exaggerating

Verb

The person buried there is believed to have belonged to the Linear Pottery culture — named for the distinctive spiral and wavy patterns decorating its pottery.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
The city is also bringing back its Halloween decorating contest to see which blocks can have the most Halloween spirit.

— Jack Springgate, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of decorating

Adjective

At The Aster, a boutique hotel and members club in Hollywood, guests can begin the day with classes in the reformer Pilates studio, where old-world dark wood and ornamental columns are paired with high-tech apparatus.

— Lindsay Cohn, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2026
Lumbering wooden doors are pivoted open to reveal the breezy hotel lobby and create a view with layers of water, first the still ornamental pools, then the main central pool and finally the glowing Caribbean sea.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of ornamental

Verb

Tourism picks up Whether arriving from within Chile or overseas, tourists are venturing into the remote, inhospitable areas of the Atacama to admire the millions of flowers adorning vast areas of the desert, stretching from the coast to the horizon.

— Nayara Batschke, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Growing up thousands of miles away from the Hollywood sign in Bratislava, Slovakia, ADÉLA spent her childhood studying American pop stars and had posters of Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande and Britney Spears adorning her bedroom walls.

— Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of adorning

Verb

Trump won the area in 2020 by 2 points before padding his victory to 9 points in 2024.

— Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
The Ravens swung a surprise trade Wednesday for Eagles center Cam Jurgens, padding their interior offensive line after injuries to Jovaughn Gwyn and Ethan Pocic.

— Matt Weyrich, Baltimore Sun, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of padding

Verb

The sleeveless minidress is made in a satin lime green fabric and designed with a straight neckline, draping and knotted elements at the shoulder and hip.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
But simply draping garments willy-nilly anywhere isn’t your best move because wet laundry needs the right conditions to dry completely.

— Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of draping

Browse Nearby Words

embellishes

embellishing

embellishment

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of embellishing

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

jilt

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

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

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

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

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

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

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

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes