LOVELY Synonyms: 286 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'lovely' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lovely are beautiful , comely , fair , handsome , and pretty . While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," lovely is close to beautiful but applies to a narrower range of emotional excitation in suggesting the graceful, delicate, or exquisite. // a lovely melody

Q: When could 'beautiful' be used to replace 'lovely'?

The words beautiful and lovely are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses. // beautiful mountain scenery

Q: How are the words 'comely' and 'handsome' related as synonyms of 'lovely'?

Comely is like handsome in suggesting what is coolly approved rather than emotionally responded to. // the comely grace of a dancer

Q: When is 'fair' a more appropriate choice than 'lovely'?

In some situations, the words fair and lovely are roughly equivalent. However, fair suggests beauty because of purity, flawlessness, or freshness. // fair of face

Q: When would 'handsome' be a good substitute for 'lovely'?

While in some cases nearly identical to lovely , handsome suggests aesthetic pleasure due to proportion, symmetry, or elegance. // a handsome Georgian mansion

Q: When is it sensible to use 'pretty' instead of 'lovely'?

Although the words pretty and lovely have much in common, pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness. // a painter of conventionally pretty scenes

lovely 1 of 2

adjective

ˈləv-lē

Definition of lovely

as in wonderful

of the very best kind thanked their hosts for the lovely time they had at the party

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in beautiful

very pleasing to look at a lovely painting of young girls in their summer dresses

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lovely

2 of 2

noun

as in stunner

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective lovely differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lovely are beautiful, comely, fair, handsome, and pretty. While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," lovely is close to beautiful but applies to a narrower range of emotional excitation in suggesting the graceful, delicate, or exquisite.

a lovely melody

When could beautiful be used to replace lovely?

The words beautiful and lovely are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses.

beautiful mountain scenery

How are the words comely and handsome related as synonyms of lovely?

Comely is like handsome in suggesting what is coolly approved rather than emotionally responded to.

the comely grace of a dancer

When is fair a more appropriate choice than lovely?

In some situations, the words fair and lovely are roughly equivalent. However, fair suggests beauty because of purity, flawlessness, or freshness.

fair of face

When would handsome be a good substitute for lovely?

While in some cases nearly identical to lovely, handsome suggests aesthetic pleasure due to proportion, symmetry, or elegance.

a handsome Georgian mansion

When is it sensible to use pretty instead of lovely?

Although the words pretty and lovely have much in common, pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness.

a painter of conventionally pretty scenes

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 lovely

Adjective

On the other hand, a lovely Borat-style mankini could get the evening going. — Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026 The blue-and-white topaz tennis bracelet is a particularly playful option, with alternating shades of blue that would look lovely against a white sleeve. — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2026

Noun

In an early scene, poor Christian attends a dating event, having gamed the system, with his perfect numerical logic, so that all the potential lovelies are lined up at his table. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 24 Apr. 2025 Serve these layered lovelies in old-fashioned glasses to make the treat extra special. — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2023 See All Example Sentences for lovely

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lovely

Adjective

Bruna is fantastic, and Alison is a wonderful producer with a great eye.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026
It is carefully crafted and wincingly sincere, a wonderful conversion of inversions.

— Samuel Hyland, Pitchfork, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of wonderful

Adjective

The Panthers set up 48 yards from pay dirt and then, a handful of plays later, Young placed a beautiful pass into the hands of a wide-open Tommy Tremble for a touchdown — and also placed the nail in the game’s proverbial coffin.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 18 Oct. 2026
About half of Faux’s dining room, on my visits, seemed to be occupied by the young and beautiful, perhaps strategizing, over moules bouillabaisse, when to move the party to the bar downstairs.

— Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of beautiful

Noun

The signature restaurant, Le Pressoir d’Argent, is a stunner with a rocaille decor (seashells set into elaborate plaster moldings) and a sublime seafood menu.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Oct. 2026
Over the last three postseasons, the Nuggets’ playoff record is 16-16 with two second-round exits and one first-round stunner.

— Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of stunner

Adjective

Williams aims to help build a county government that works for everyday people by lowering the cost of living, delivering excellent county services and protecting fundamental rights.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Oct. 2026
Nikko Remigio’s reputation as a return man isn’t splashy plays, but rather excellent ball security.

— Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of excellent

Adjective

The setting for this multi-generational frolic is a gorgeous Greek island that is nothing like ABBA’s homeland of Sweden.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
The interior is spacious and light-filled with floor-to-ceiling windows on all sides and a gorgeous double-sink bathroom that feels like a mini spa.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of gorgeous

Noun

Avantika Vandanapu took a chance and won 40% off a box, while her guest ended up winning an entire beauty box for themselves.

— Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 19 Oct. 2026
The firming, plumping cream is a favorite at Vogue HQ—beauty shopping editor Kiana Murden has been raving about this oil-in-gel.

— Jenny Berg, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of beauty

Adjective

Jewel adornment — fabulous at Saint Laurent, Fendi, Dolce & Gabbana, Ferragamo.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
The property is debuting as a member of Leading Hotels of the World, ushering in a new era of luxury for the area, and proving that, yes, chic and fabulous things can happen on either side of the Intracoastal.

— Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of fabulous

Browse Nearby Words

loveliness

lovely

lovemaking

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

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Synonyms of lovely

adjective

noun

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