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noun

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

Examples 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
This piece is also an homage to the vivid hues of South Australia’s lovely state flower the Sturt Desert Pea. Be sure not to miss out on Chihuly Nights, which is an all-access pass to the entire Chihuly experience. Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Hannibal Lecter from 'Silence of the Lamb,' is a lovely man. David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
The vegetables: Along with the summer lovelies mentioned above, some people get all crazy and put mushrooms in their ratatouille. James P. Dewan, chicagotribune.com, 13 Aug. 2019 Here are some of the lovelies that were arrested recently -- the Berkeley deal. Fox News, 29 Aug. 2018 See all Example Sentences for lovely 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lovely
Adjective
  • The box includes only a USB-A-to-USB-C cable for charging. Sound: Powerful Bass and Clean Highs Simply put, the Bose SoundLink Home sounds wonderful.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Then there’s Cleo’s nervy 30-something daughter, Grace — the wonderful Zoë Geltman — who’s always been the good girl but whose loins are newly afire for her brother-in-law, Roy (Gabriel Brown).
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The crisp air and vibrant colors of the orchards create a beautiful backdrop for a leisurely day.
    Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024
  • Replacing a drab sky with a beautiful one used to be a many-step process involving manual masking and layers.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Heidi Klum as a vampire in 2005 Another classic Halloween costume, Klum's vampire in 2005 was a stunner, particularly the placement of the bleeding heart on her chest.
    Madeline Boardman, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2024
  • The iMac is the visual stunner; the MacBook Pro delivers tremendous power on the go; and the Mac Pro and Mac Studio are both geared at professionals and creatives.
    Chris Welch, The Verge, 27 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • North Carolina State University researchers found that deer movement can be excellent the last hour of daylight during the last-quarter phase of the moon.
    Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024
  • The improved adaptive cruise control is excellent at slow speeds and in stop-and-go traffic.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Opening in the same year was the elegant Interlaken Hotel, on the shores of Twin Lakes, a gorgeous but ultimately doomed retreat for well-off visitors.
    James Dziezynski, Outside Online, 10 Nov. 2024
  • Xbox fans should definitely look into getting the gorgeous Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma.
    Gabriela Vatu, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Decorated with an assemblage of train signage, colorful lights and faux storefronts, Hibiki BBQ offers an eyeful as guests grill Japanese, Australian and American Wagyu, pork jowl, scallops, beef tongue, vegetables, squid and more.
    Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2024
  • Halle Berry’s boyfriend, Van Hunt, gave his social media followers a mother lode of an eyeful on Mother’s Day.
    Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 13 May 2024
Adjective
  • Greg Corbino—who brought to life the fabulous vulva-scape of Soho Rep’s Snatch Adams and Tainty McCracken last year—designed the show’s costumes and, more strikingly still, its puppets.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2024
  • Racing went to São Paulo and took the lead within minutes, scoring brilliant goals with two fabulous finishes in Brazil.
    Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • The smallest monkey in the world, these cute critters weigh in at just over 4 ounces.
    Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024
  • The Boots and Barkley Wave Scratcher ($15) from Target is not as cute, but my cats love it.
    Medea Giordano, WIRED, 5 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near lovely

Cite this Entry

“Lovely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lovely. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on lovely

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