as in epicurean
a person with refined tastes in food and wine food critics have to be gourmets in order to write about food in an informed way

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the noun gourmet contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of gourmet are epicure, gastronome, and gourmand. While all these words mean "one who takes pleasure in eating and drinking," gourmet implies being a connoisseur in food and drink and the discriminating enjoyment of them.

When would epicure be a good substitute for gourmet?

Although the words epicure and gourmet have much in common, epicure implies fastidiousness and voluptuousness of taste.

When is it sensible to use gastronome instead of gourmet?

The words gastronome and gourmet can be used in similar contexts, but gastronome implies that one has studied extensively the history and rituals of haute cuisine.

When is gourmand a more appropriate choice than gourmet?

In some situations, the words gourmand and gourmet are roughly equivalent. However, gourmand implies a hearty appetite for good food and drink, not without discernment, but with less than a gourmet's.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gourmet
Noun
  • Ever since, keen epicures had been ardently awaiting his next move.
    Sarah Khan, Bon Appétit, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Biggest Fear: Pain of their own insecurity, uncertainty. Type 7: The Enthusiast/Epicure The enthusiast/epicure looks to explore all the wonders of life and are always on the hunt for new experiences and adventures.
    Stephanie Sengwe, Peoplemag, 25 Apr. 2024
Noun
  • The California Michelin Guide was revealed on Wednesday night in Sacramento, with the tire company that moonlights as a gastronome bible handing out stars to restaurants up and down the Golden State.
    Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 6 July 2025
  • So, has the gastronome ever been offered a foodie TV show?
    Simon Thompson, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • The Marbella Club has been drawing Europe’s bon vivants for the past 70 years.
    Air Mail, Air Mail, 14 June 2025
  • An infallible dealmaker, resourceful problem-solver and filmmaker-friendly bon vivant, Ammar has played a pivotal, yet often behind-the-scenes role, in building cultural and cinematic bridges between Europe, the U.S. and the Arab world over the last 50 years.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • Fruity, floral, earthy, and even a touch gourmand, the perfume’s singular mix of centifolia rose, Chinese peony, Chinese magnolia, vetiver, and pistachio has certainly been a welcome scent around our water cooler.
    Jenny Berg, Allure, 6 July 2025
  • According to Brooks, the technology showed that longer-lasting scents were often associated with sensuality, including musks and gourmands.
    Emily Burns, Footwear News, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • This recipe, which Melissa Clark adapted from the molecular gastronomist Hervé This, forgoes the cream, eggs and hand mixers required by many mousses, prioritizing chocolate and chocolate alone.
    New York Times, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2022
  • One of the first diets was introduced in the 1840s by a Presbyterian minister named Sylvester Graham, historic gastronomist Sarah Lohman told Live Science.
    Fiza Pirani, ajc, 10 July 2018
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Gourmet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gourmet. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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