PRETTY Synonyms: 444 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

pretty 1 of 3

adverb

ˈpri-tē

Definition of pretty next

as in relatively

to some degree or extent we've had some pretty cold weather lately

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

pretty

2 of 3

adjective

ˈpri-tē

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

as in suitable

meeting the requirements of a purpose or situation their misalliance is as pretty an example of an ill-conceived marriage as you're likely to find

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in beautiful

very pleasing to look at a pretty young girl

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

pretty

3 of 3

noun

as in looker

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Try This Instead

For

Try This

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

Examples 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

In fact, the difference is actually pretty shocking. —

Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 10 Jan. 2025 For instance, if a Republican won a Senate election by 15 percentage points in a state Trump carried by just 2 points, that's a pretty strong candidate — stronger, say, than a Republican Senate candidate who won by 20 points in a state Trump carried by 25 points. —

Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 10 Jan. 2025

Adjective

Takeaways Devils: Their first two periods weren’t pretty to begin the four-game West Coast portion of their six-game trip, but the Devils gave an engaged effort in the third. —

Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025 Wendy’s shimmering manicure is both pretty and pared back. —

Mica Ricketts, refinery29.com, 31 Dec. 2024

Noun

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 Most people seem to agree — the bartenders have a habit of making the drinks in a pretty row at the bar, in the style of the Irish coffee pros at Buena Vista Cafe. —

Soleil Ho, SFChronicle.com, 29 Aug. 2019 See all Example Sentences for pretty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretty

Adverb

Despite its relatively low interest rate, the CFPB alleged, the 360 Savings account was advertised as a high-interest savings account.

— Russell Leung, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2025
The long-term effects of wildfire smoke are less understood, as the rise in wildfire frequency linked to climate change is a relatively recent phenomenon.

— Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025