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embellish

[/ɪmˈbɛlɪʃ/]
verb
embelezar
1. to make something more attractive by adding decorative details or ornaments
She embellished the dress with sequins and beads.
Ela embelezou o vestido com lantejoulas e contas.
2. to enhance or improve a story or account by adding fictitious or exaggerated details
He embellished the truth about what happened at the party.
Ele embelezou a verdade sobre o que aconteceu na festa.
3. to make something seem more impressive or interesting than it actually is
The author embellished the historical facts with dramatic dialogue.
O autor embelezou os fatos históricos com diálogos dramáticos.
Synonyms
adorndecorateornamentenhanceexaggerateelaboratefabricate
Antonyms
simplifystripbareunderstate

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
embelezar
most common usage across Brazil
General Brazilian
adornar
alternative, formal usage meaning to adorn
Portugal
embelezar
used similarly to Brazilian Portuguese
Portugal
ornamentar
more formal alternative in European Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

embellish the truth
embellish with detail
embellish a story
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