1
as in to exaggerate
to add to the interest of by including made-up details
the story of the comic marriage proposal was embellished as it passed from one generation to the next in the family
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to decorate
to make more attractive by adding something that is beautiful or becoming
the walls of the French restaurant are embellished with scenes of Parisian life
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of embellish
The resulting look has a strong identity, often embellished with artisanal workmanship or vintage details obtained through washing treatments.
—
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 16 June 2025
Whether they’re fully embellished or left blank, designers’ eyes are sure to be drawn to walls.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 14 June 2025
Oakland artist Demetri Broxton (b. 1979) honors him and his family at Fort Point through dazzling beaded portraits, embellished with cowrie shells of a type once used for protection by the Yoruba people of Nigeria and for the purchase of humans during the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
Back at the island, Spike is welcomed as the returning hero, with Jamie significantly, and drunkenly, embellishing his son’s bravery.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for embellish
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 16 June 2025
Whether they’re fully embellished or left blank, designers’ eyes are sure to be drawn to walls.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 14 June 2025
Oakland artist Demetri Broxton (b. 1979) honors him and his family at Fort Point through dazzling beaded portraits, embellished with cowrie shells of a type once used for protection by the Yoruba people of Nigeria and for the purchase of humans during the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
Back at the island, Spike is welcomed as the returning hero, with Jamie significantly, and drunkenly, embellishing his son’s bravery.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for embellish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embellish
Verb
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Dissenting Justice Sonia Sotomayor did not exaggerate the consequences of the court’s 6-3 decision.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
3 July 2025
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Critics say the deal undervalued the golf course and exaggerated the benefits.—
Sarah Lapidus,
AZCentral.com,
3 July 2025
Verb
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Amazon Basics Fluted Ceramic Round Planter This early Prime Day deal is perfect for decorating your outdoor table with lush greenery and flowers.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
5 July 2025
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His striking work, Protest, depicts the bloodshed of Sri Lanka’s long civil war, using books that are charred or rendered illegible, often decorated with symbolic or figurative objects, like toy-soldier figurines marching across a soiled page.—
Thessaly La Force,
Travel + Leisure,
4 July 2025
Verb
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Although generative AI fuels the potential for automation to eliminate jobs, AI can also enhance technical, creative, legal and business roles, the report said.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 July 2025
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But with a smart approach, mirrors can truly enhance a space.—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 July 2025
Verb
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Both pieces of the swimsuit were adorned with crystal embellishments.—
Starr Bowenbank,
People.com,
15 July 2025
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This is an excellent, strange little book that appeared in 2011 and had a profound impact on me, and apparently on Florence Welch who adorns the cover with a generous quote.—
Hattie Williams
July 14,
Literary Hub,
14 July 2025
Verb
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And this time, our impact wasn’t padding packers or improving the bottom line but creating a tangible difference in the lives of thousands of struggling families.—
Rachelle Rutherford,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Over the span of about a half a day, the jailer said, 53 inmates used the glitch to pad their commissary accounts, which can be used to buy things like food items and toiletries and to fund phone calls and other communications with the outside world.—
Josh Wood,
Louisville Courier Journal,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Embellish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embellish. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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