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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

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
In fact, Fernández and La Casa de la Playa sommelier Pavel Martínez have also curated a lovely selection of Mexican wines for the Cava, the property’s unique wine cellar which is open 24 hours for guests to peruse, taste and enjoy a bottle or glass of their choice. Claudia Alarcón, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025 One way to make sure your hydrangeas look their loveliest is to plant them alongside suitable companion plants. Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Apr. 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
  • Embracing different cultures: There is plenty of wonderful Mexican culture depicted throughout the film, from cooking traditional dishes to the vibrant atmosphere.
    Alex Vance, Parents, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Cherish these moments and know that your efforts to preserve their voices are a wonderful tribute to your relationships.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Order a drink, admire the master carpentry, and unwind with views of the beautiful garden.
    Christina Liao, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2025
  • The internet has encouraged only more comparison, and more consternation—more places to argue, more pressure to make even the most banal parts of our lives beautiful.
    Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Houston's suffocating defense wiped away a 14-point deficit over the final eight minutes and erased Cooper Flagg and Duke's title hopes Saturday in a 70-67 stunner over the Blue Devils at the Final Four.
    CBS News, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2025
  • In Act Two, there is a stunner of a video montage, credited to David Bengali, that looks like it was only created last week.
    Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Scott McKenna bossing the defence, Fabio Silva scoring goals for fun, Oli McBurnie bashing around and suddenly speaking excellent Spanish… this is a cause to believe in.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • In a survey of more than 15,000 users after its rollout in 2024, 90% of respondents ranked their experience as excellent or above average.
    Rachel Barber, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This is the year to create a gorgeous pathway through your yard or gardens.
    Christopher Murray, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Much like the gift of a gorgeous spring day in Kansas City. Reach Sherry Kuehl at [email protected], on Facebook at Snarky in the Suburbs @snarkynsuburbs, on Instagram @snarky.in.the.suburbs, and snarkyinthesuburbs.com.
    Sherry Kuehl, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The filmmakers ensure that viewers similar in age to the kids on screen get an eyeful of what those robotics gatherings are like for their contestants, who arrive from all over the globe.
    Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Overall, Printemps New York is a multifaceted, visual eyeful, where the architecture and decor might overwhelm the merchandise for some.
    David Moin, WWD, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Comments Even when a blowout hotel isn’t in the budget, a fabulous night’s stay is within reach at these 15 properties, all of which come in at less than $300 a night.
    Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Stefani, who is married to country musician and Oklahoma native Blake Shelton, spent the week with her husband and sons Zuma and Apollo (her eldest son Kingston was not present) at one fabulous luxury resort in the heart of Missouri’s Ozark Mountains.
    Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • His grousing is interrupted by some very cute uncle moments with Maria and Tommy’s son, Benji, then Joel takes off just as Tommy gets back.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Snake Bird Vintage has a fantastic array of clothing and accessories in a cute repurposed garage.
    Kara Franker, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lovely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lovely. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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