as in snack
a small dish of food served before the main part of a meal
Shrimp with cocktail sauce were served as an appetizer.
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Recent Examples of appetizer
James talks about adding a special menu of wines and Tapas -- Spanish appetizers.
—
Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
There’s also a salad bar, cheese bread appetizers and dessert.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2026
But Morgan, the owner of the establishment, recommends starting with the bone marrow and pimento cheese appetizers.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 26 Feb. 2026
There was an appetizer of crab from Nemuro, on the island's eastern edge, and a perfectly roasted fillet of beef from just down the coast in Tokachi.
—Alex Halberstadt, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for appetizer
Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
There’s also a salad bar, cheese bread appetizers and dessert.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2026
But Morgan, the owner of the establishment, recommends starting with the bone marrow and pimento cheese appetizers.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 26 Feb. 2026
There was an appetizer of crab from Nemuro, on the island's eastern edge, and a perfectly roasted fillet of beef from just down the coast in Tokachi.
—Alex Halberstadt, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for appetizer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appetizer
Noun
-
Bring a blanket, your favorite snacks and have a picnic on the lawn near the central garden.—
Kailyn Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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The complimentary minibar, stocked with New Harbor Distillery gin and whisky, South African wines and craft beer, coffee, tea, soft drinks, and local snacks, is a nice touch.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Your taste in nature can be as specific and particular as your coffee order.—
Kevin Sintumuang,
Outside,
10 Mar. 2026
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That just gives you a taste of his mentality.—
Douglas Robson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The four-piece set—a loveseat, two chairs, and a matching table—comfortably seats up to four, providing a perfect spot for small bites and drinks.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
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Wisconsin Watch is a member of the Gigafact program, newsrooms across the US that deliver bite-sized fact checks of trending claims.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Any notion that the Broncos were scraping by was met with a mouthful of bristles from Sean Payton.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
25 Feb. 2026
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Turn your head to the side, unhinge your jaw, and prepare for a glorious mouthful.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
14 Dec. 2025
Noun
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This week's quiz highlights baseball bests, nutty nibbles — and a lot more.—
Khloe Quill , Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
8 Mar. 2026
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But is there enough meat on the bones of this HBO dark comedy to sustain an audience through the nibbles of mystery for the next six Sundays?—
Andy Andersen,
Vulture,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Appetizer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appetizer. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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