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Definition of prettynext
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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

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pretty

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adverb

pretty

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noun

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

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

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
Adjective
French country interior design is a nice balance of well-worn, simple, and pretty accents, according to Darden. Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 27 Apr. 2026 Light blue dresses are officially the prettiest trend for summer 2026. Lucía Tejo, Glamour, 26 Apr. 2026
Adverb
Although Swamp Walkers are pretty close to Orange Blossom Trail, the sound of traffic fades in the swamp. Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026 Her reason is a pretty good one. Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
From Saturday, March 1, to Saturday, April 12, 2025 pretty Venus goes retrograde. Sophie Saint Thomas, Allure, 28 Feb. 2025 Situated in the scenic village of Alfriston, the hotel is surrounded by a bustling community famed for throwing fetes and fayres on the ‘Tye’ (the village green), the sweeping South Downs National Park and chocolate-box-pretty pubs. Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for pretty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretty
Adjective
  • Although Duchossois’ acquisition of Arlington Park in 1983 and his ownership of the luxurious track overshadowed his achievements as a breeder, his beautiful Hill ‘N Dale Farm near Barrington was a model breeding farm, as impressive as any of those in Kentucky.
    Neil Milbert, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
  • To some extent, the cool commercial logic of the fashion industry—which transforms beautiful, original works into cheaply reproducible goods, season after season—echoes that of Hollywood, which regularly cannibalizes and, yes, franchises its greatest successes.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Five is nice, but 17 straight is a dynasty unparalleled in City Section history.
    Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Just the shops and the overall setting is really nice.
    Anne Kadet, Curbed, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • This will require recurring cost, however, making the recurring purchase of purified water for a filterless humidifier is just as suitable a solution.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
  • It should be noted that maples or any other plants that require regular moisture and protection from summer sun are most suitable for container growing.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026
Adverb
  • This realization, Parker begins to explain, is a relatively recent one.
    Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Switzerland has a relatively weak fertility rate, with natural growth (births minus deaths) at around 6,000 in 2024.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Harry Melling is a late-blooming looker.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
  • The more renowned the art, the greater the number of clueless lookers, joyless collectors, donors in search of tax breaks, and steroidal museums.
    Jackson Arn, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • Ahead, my step-by-step guide to recreate a lovely lunch that will help your bond grow even deeper.
    Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Later on, the sights of Camden Market and Gasholder Park promise a lovely balance between the buzz and tranquillity of London.
    Will Barker, TheWeek, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • His voice and his music are unfailingly tasteful and pleasant, which is a key part of both his appeal and limitations.
    George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
  • The daily afternoon tea in Horizons is also extremely pleasant (don’t skip on the chicken sandwiches, which were more my beat than the scones and jam).
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • People in this area are urged to properly dispose of cigarette butts, matches, and any other flammable items in appropriate containers.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Oh my gosh, ticked off is not the appropriate word.
    Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pretty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretty. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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