as in decorative
serving to add beauty
changes in the original design of the building were purely cosmetic
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Recent Examples of cosmetic
Steve Bender, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Romanowski, the cosmetic chemist, said consumers should keep their expectations realistic.
—Aya Diab, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
It was also adopted by dermo-cosmetic brands for sensitive skin.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cosmetic
Adjective
Leaf spots are more commonly a cosmetic issue caused by spot anthracnose.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Romanowski, the cosmetic chemist, said consumers should keep their expectations realistic.
—Aya Diab, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
These versatile salves might serve to treat a burn, as a facial cosmetic, or as a hair conditioner in a pinch.
—Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
It was also adopted by dermo-cosmetic brands for sensitive skin.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cosmetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cosmetic
Adjective
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Interiors by Studio Architetto Mar, balance historic character with refined updates, highlighted by two reception rooms, a formal dining room, and a spacious chef’s kitchen dressed in decorative wallpaper.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
28 Apr. 2026
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The best luxury bath towels also feature decorative accents like embroidery and monogramming to elevate your washroom’s aesthetic.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Research found that systems were less likely to accurately classify the faces of women with darker complexions and that certain makeup patterns could render the technology null.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
This cult Japanese skincare-meets-makeup hybrid is an ultra-fine powder to even out skin tone, soften the look of pores, and reduce shine, leaving a translucent finish with subtle coverage.—
Anita Bhagwandas,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
For gardeners with lower humidity, ornamental oregano makes a stunning solo planting.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Place the bar of soap inside a mesh bag or a single sock, then hang it from the branches of fruit trees, ornamental shrubs, or a garden fence.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Sixers commanded the paint in the first, outscoring the Celtics 12-4 in the lane and putting center Neemias Queta in early foul trouble for the second time in three games.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
-
One of Nashville’s most beloved bookstores is nestled in a homely strip mall between a running store and a paint shop—founded in 2011 by novelist Ann Patchett and Karen Hayes (who retired in 2022).—
Kat Chen,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Plus, unlike traditional methods of coloring panels that often use 'diffusing foils' that scatter light everywhere and cause power losses of up to 50%, MorphoColor uses a precise 3D photonic structure on the glass surface designed specifically for high transmission.—
Abhimanyu Ghoshal,
New Atlas,
24 Apr. 2026
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The split-coloring is believed to be caused by either a genetic mutation or pigment irregularities, according to scientists.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cosmetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cosmetic. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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