Synonym Chooser

How is the word appetizing different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of appetizing are palatable, savory, tasty, and toothsome. While all these words mean "agreeable or pleasant especially to the sense of taste," appetizing suggests a whetting of the appetite and applies to aroma and appearance as well as taste.

appetizing hors d'oeuvres

When would palatable be a good substitute for appetizing?

The synonyms palatable and appetizing are sometimes interchangeable, but palatable often applies to something that is found to be merely agreeable.

butterflies that birds find palatable

When is it sensible to use savory instead of appetizing?

The words savory and appetizing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, savory applies to both taste and aroma and suggests piquancy and often spiciness.

dumplings with savory fillings

When could tasty be used to replace appetizing?

The words tasty and appetizing can be used in similar contexts, but tasty implies a pronounced taste.

a tart and tasty pie

Where would toothsome be a reasonable alternative to appetizing?

While the synonyms toothsome and appetizing are close in meaning, toothsome stresses the notion of agreeableness and sometimes implies tenderness or daintiness.

an enticing array of toothsome desserts

Example 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 appetizing To make this even more appetizing for Seattle, Gilbert likely has the most trade value of the starting rotation. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025 Pure Green is a juice bar brand shaking up the health food industry with high-quality ingredients that are both appetizing and nutritious. Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025 Speaking as someone who is just as likely to slice up his fingers as cut a cucumber into thin, appetizing slices, a vegetable chopper can remove the work (and pain) that goes into cutting up vegetables, fruits and other foods. Ho Lin, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2025 Simply Nova Williamsburg nostalgic appetizing shop gone gourmet offers its signature one-pound hamantaschen year-round, occasionally in special seasonal flavors like pumpkin pie in the fall. Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for appetizing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appetizing
Adjective
  • Roasting them low and slow in a preheated oven, or cooking them slowly in a slow cooker, smoker, or sous vide before finishing on the grill or under the broiler, can all yield tender, delicious results.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 23 June 2025
  • Coupled with a healthy diet and lifestyle, these delicious drinks can keep your gut happy, balanced, and thriving.
    Lauren Manaker MS, Health, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • Kyle Hagerty is a gardener with more than 20 years of experience in edible gardening who shares his tips on his popular account @urbanfarmstead.
    Johanna Silver, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2025
  • These were then arranged beautifully on individual plates with the creamy cod and sauce forming a white pool on the plate surrounded by green and yellow vegetables with pink edible flowers (see photo below).
    Liz Thach, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Appetizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appetizing. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on appetizing

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