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 next

as in wonderful

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Rather than a static tribute to the countryside, Huo’s lovely roving eye for composition and gentle hand with drama trace the challenges and enduring bonds among several hard-working generations of farmers. —

Nicolas Rapold, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025 Editors’ Picks 14 Desserts for Anyone Who Really, Really Loves Dark Chocolate How One President’s Day Became Presidents’ Day Then comes a lovely twist. —

Barney Saltzberg, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025

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

This is a debut entry and a wonderful term that’s new to me.

— Caitlin Lovinger, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2025
Tucci hosts the popular Tucci - The Heart of Italy show which tours the country sampling and celebrating the wonderful food that originates there.

— Simon Perry, People.com, 8 Feb. 2025