garnish 1 of 2

noun

Definition of garnishnext
as in decoration
something that decorates or beautifies added a garnish of parsley to the plate before serving it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

garnish

2 of 2

verb

ˈgär-nish How to pronounce garnish (audio)
as in to decorate
to make more attractive by adding something that is beautiful or becoming a chef who never served any dish without first garnishing it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word garnish different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of garnish are adorn, beautify, deck, decorate, embellish, and ornament. While all these words mean "to enhance the appearance of something by adding something unessential," garnish suggests decorating with a small final touch and is used especially in referring to the serving of food.

an entrée garnished with parsley

Where would adorn be a reasonable alternative to garnish?

In some situations, the words adorn and garnish are roughly equivalent. However, adorn implies an enhancing by something beautiful in itself.

a diamond necklace adorned her neck

How are the words beautify and embellish related as synonyms of garnish?

Beautify adds to embellish a suggestion of counterbalancing plainness or ugliness.

will beautify the grounds with flower beds

When can deck be used instead of garnish?

The synonyms deck and garnish are sometimes interchangeable, but deck implies the addition of something that contributes to gaiety, splendor, or showiness.

a house all decked out for Christmas

When is decorate a more appropriate choice than garnish?

While in some cases nearly identical to garnish, decorate suggests relieving plainness or monotony by adding beauty of color or design.

decorate a birthday cake

When is it sensible to use embellish instead of garnish?

The words embellish and garnish can be used in similar contexts, but embellish often stresses the adding of superfluous or adventitious ornament.

embellish a page with floral borders

How do ornament and embellish relate to one another, in the sense of garnish?

Both ornament and embellish imply the adding of something extraneous, ornament stressing the heightening or setting off of the original.

a white house ornamented with green shutters

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 garnish
Noun
Some of these garnishes are also dressing up orange wine, a trending summer beverage. —Colleen Sullivan, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2025 That simple inspiration for a garnish spearheaded the beloved cocktail that tennis fans drink today. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
Verb
Look for gummy eyeballs in the candy aisle around Halloween (or garnish with a thin slice of green apple instead). —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2025 Put the ingredients in a blender with some ice and blitz until combined, garnishing with the melon balls. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for garnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for garnish
  1. decoration
  2. decorate
  3. ornamentation
  4. adorn
  5. ornament
  6. garnishment
  7. adornment
Noun
  • The festivities included a catered spread of food, themed decorations and a special gift from the brand.
    — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Keep scrolling for more Halloween decorations from Pottery Barn’s clearance section for up to 50% off.
    — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2025
Definition of decoration
Verb
  • Renovated cabins are decorated in a nostalgic mountain vibe, with plaids and wood tones reigning supreme.
    — Elliott Harrell, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025
  • For dessert was a chocolate cake with brown butter vanilla buttercream icing baked by Gaby Scelzo, decorated with baby blue ruffles and pink frosted roses.
    — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of decorate
Noun
  • Born into postwar optimism in the mid-20th century, the movement favored steel, concrete, and insulated glass in defiance of ornamentation.
    — Will Speros, Architectural Digest, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Barnsdall is home to Frank Lloyd Wright’s first Los Angeles commission, Hollyhock House, with its commanding monolithic forms, geometric ornamentation, and modern take on Mayan Revival architecture.
    — R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Definition of ornamentation
Verb
  • Dainty gold buckles adorn the soft suede straps that will hold your feet firmly in place, and the square toe design offers room for your toes to sit comfortably without feeling squished.
    — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The father-son duo both towered over Hargitay, adorning casual clothing in snaps taken from their visit.
    — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of adorn
Noun
  • The treasure consists of more than 40 coins and several ancient ornaments made of precious metals, according to the MNIR's announcement.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Their distinctive products include lowball tumblers, decanters, and pitchers as well as decor like holiday ornaments.
    — Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2025
Definition of ornament
Noun
  • Whitney warns that the situation is poised to worsen, with impending wage garnishment for seriously delinquent student-loan debt set to further squeeze this cohort.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2025
  • If Darjean ultimately prevails, he will be entitled to pursue collection efforts, potentially including garnishment of Sanders’ NFL income.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Definition of garnishment
Noun
  • Its scoop neck also creates space for a necklace stack (take it from us and amplify the beige-adjacent color with gold adornments).
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2025
  • Sequin beads and delicate embroidery are some of the most common adornments–though feathers and fil-coupe are thrown in the mix from time to time, as well.
    — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 23 Aug. 2025
Definition of adornment

Browse Nearby Words

garners
garnish
garnished
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Cite this Entry

“Garnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/garnish. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on garnish

Nglish: Translation of garnish for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about garnish

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