pretty 1 of 3

pretty

2 of 3

adjective

1
as in nice
giving pleasure or contentment to the mind or senses she was not a pretty sight after she fell off her horse and into the mud

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3

pretty

3 of 3

noun

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a pretty picture
a cute picture
a gorgeous picture
a beautiful picture
a lovely picture
a fabulous picture
a pretty place
a stunning place
a picturesque place
a scenic place
an aesthetic place
a gorgeous place
a pretty dress
a stylish dress
an adorable dress
a fabulous dress
a fashionable dress
a great dress
a pretty name
a lovely name
a neat name
a wonderful name
a pleasant name
a nice name

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective pretty differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of pretty are beautiful, comely, fair, handsome, and lovely. While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness.

a painter of conventionally pretty scenes

When is beautiful a more appropriate choice than pretty?

The words beautiful and pretty can be used in similar contexts, but beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses.

beautiful mountain scenery

How do comely and handsome relate to one another, in the sense of pretty?

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

the comely grace of a dancer

Where would fair be a reasonable alternative to pretty?

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

fair of face

When might handsome be a better fit than pretty?

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

a handsome Georgian mansion

How are the words lovely and beautiful related as synonyms of pretty?

Lovely is close to beautiful but applies to a narrower range of emotional excitation in suggesting the graceful, delicate, or exquisite.

a lovely melody

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 pretty
Adverb
The ending of the series is pretty complicated and definitely leaves room for interpretation. Ally Neagen, Glamour, 27 Feb. 2025 My agent was the one who pretty much begged me to just go out and try it and audition. Katie Arnold-Ratliff, Curbed, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
Napoli adds that using lighter shades in lieu of a highlighter lends a super pretty, natural look. Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 24 Feb. 2025 Short and pretty walk, starting on Madrone Avenue in Larkspur. 9 & 10/ Cascade Falls. Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2025
Noun
Stretched along a river in the heart of the Netherlands, the town of Wageningen is not postcard-pretty. Marta Zaraska, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2019 This drive along the northern New England coast takes just over three hours, but is filled with charm: think endless beaches, fishing harbors, artist colonies, and postcard-pretty villages clinging to the edge of the water. Mark Ellwood, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 June 2020 See All Example Sentences for pretty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretty
Adverb
  • Bridging biology and robotics While soft robots and advanced prosthetics are becoming increasingly common, the combination of living tissue and machines is still relatively rare.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Its pricing strategy enabled it to win customers among students as well as other people living on lower incomes in China’s relatively underdeveloped cities.
    Hassan Tayir, CNN, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The ability to use either an AA or AAA battery is a nice touch, giving you options for weight and battery life.
    Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Why is the knee-jerk reaction to say something horrible rather than to say something nice?
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • This content is not, nor is intended to be, trading or investment advice or a recommendation that any investment product or strategy is suitable for any person.
    JJ Kinahan, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
  • This option is suitable for individuals who enjoy the feel of memory foam but are concerned about overheating.
    Jené Luciani Sena, Fox News, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • While some critics find Brutalism’s heavy look and utilitarian use of materials like concrete, brick and glass harsh – even ugly – there is a beautiful intent behind them.
    Michael Allen, The Conversation, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Misconceptions are spreading almost as fast as the excitement for what is a really simple, beautiful event.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The bathroom is also a looker with mosaic, colorful floors.
    TJ Macias, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2025
  • Nature is captured with the brush and consumed, endlessly, at the looker’s leisure.
    Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
Adverb
  • Raised by a single mother and mentored by his entrepreneurial uncle, his passion for business was ignited quite early in his life.
    Kody Boye, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
  • While millions of adults celebrate St. Patrick's Day with feasts, parades, songs, and dance—no one celebrates the holiday quite like children.
    Nicole Harris, Parents, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • This driver encompasses the literal reasons for scented products—think masking unpleasant odors, creating a pleasant scent for your home, and making up for a lack of fresh air.
    Isabella Milano, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2025
  • My experience with the Phone 3a Pro has been mostly pleasant.
    Prakhar Khanna, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • These steps are inherently time-consuming and demand not only effective collaboration across various departments but also the strategic deployment of appropriate technologies.
    Zoryana Zagorodnya, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
  • His attorney, Sergio De La Pava of the New York County Defender Services, agreed with the prosecution that a mental health exam is an appropriate measure for his client. N.J.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pretty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretty. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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