as in snacks
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 appetizers
With a crust made with one of the South's most beloved appetizers, Fire Crackers.
—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
26 June 2026
From burgers and sandwiches to cocktails and appetizers, menu prices have climbed steadily over the past few years — and the increases aren’t just in people’s heads.
—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
25 June 2026
Diners are served appetizers, broth, meat, seafood — the works.
—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
24 June 2026
Chips, dips, crudités, frozen appetizers or a pizza delivery all work without pulling the host away from the table.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
23 June 2026
Frozen appetizers or a pizza delivery cover the rest.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 June 2026
At least that way you can be prepared — either by suggesting somewhere else or by eating hearty appetizers beforehand.
—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
19 June 2026
Consider every guest’s dietary restrictions, and put out an array of appetizers alongside pre-dinner cocktails and mocktails.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
There was a spread of appetizers including cheese, vegetables and meats reminiscent of New Year’s Eve.
—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
18 June 2026
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
26 June 2026
From burgers and sandwiches to cocktails and appetizers, menu prices have climbed steadily over the past few years — and the increases aren’t just in people’s heads.
—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
25 June 2026
Diners are served appetizers, broth, meat, seafood — the works.
—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
24 June 2026
Chips, dips, crudités, frozen appetizers or a pizza delivery all work without pulling the host away from the table.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
23 June 2026
Frozen appetizers or a pizza delivery cover the rest.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 June 2026
At least that way you can be prepared — either by suggesting somewhere else or by eating hearty appetizers beforehand.
—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
19 June 2026
Consider every guest’s dietary restrictions, and put out an array of appetizers alongside pre-dinner cocktails and mocktails.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
There was a spread of appetizers including cheese, vegetables and meats reminiscent of New Year’s Eve.
—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
18 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appetizers
Noun
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The interior also comes with a cotton liner, which will be much easier to spot-clean should your cosmetics or snacks leave a stain.
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Two days before National HIV Testing Day, the Empowerment Resource Center’s mobile outreach team gathered in the parking lot of a Midtown Walgreens, blasting music and serving snacks.
Noun
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Wounds as small as tick bites can attract the flies.
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That all adds up to a lot of bites.
Noun
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The second film was a bit too bloated for my tastes and one that didn’t add much to what came before.
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Karlsson, however, knows the tastes of the dressing room.
Noun
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Stuff homemade or store-bought pimiento cheese into jarred peppadew peppers for bite-size nibbles that make a grand impression.
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For pre-dinner drinks and nibbles, a table on the terrace at Le 300 is in high demand.
Noun
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The possibility of a Chase and Taylor flirtation causing a rift with Miranda is briefly raised and just as swiftly quashed — through large mouthfuls of chips and salsa, Taylor assures Miranda at the sip-and-see that there is no there there.
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But now, the future of Lucille’s American Cafe, a Weston comfort-food institution serving up mouthfuls of nostalgia since 1999, is unclear.
Cite this Entry
“Appetizers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appetizers. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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