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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Its exterior is decorated with colorful Chinese zodiac panels, while inside is a lab with exhibits on fermentation and a café. — Adam H. Graham, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Aug. 2026 Those born during the year of the monkey can place a flag or paper decorated with the monkey symbol on or around a sacred structure inside the temple hall. — Brooke Schedneck, The Conversation, 24 Aug. 2026 Duarte, of course, made most of the deliveries himself, in a Mini Cooper decorated with crab claws. — Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026 The current owners spent a year lovingly converting the former bed-and-breakfast to a luxury inn with spacious rooms and gathering areas decorated with incredible artworks. — Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for decorate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for decorate

Verb

Cake, Hope & Love, a Beavercreek bakery, also is offering cookies adorned with buck-toothed beavers that urge shopping local.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
The strappy dress featured a sheer grid base adorned with beaded floral appliqués in the same shade of rosy pink.

— Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of adorn

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decor

decorate

decorated

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“Decorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decorate. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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