Synonyms of appetizing

appetizing

adjective

ˈa-pə-ˌtī-ziŋ 

as in delicious

very pleasing to the sense of taste

that dish looks very appetizing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• delicious
• edible
• tasteful
• tasty
• flavorful
• scrumptious
• delectable
• yummy
• palatable
• succulent
• savory
• luscious
• dainty
• lush
• mouthwatering
• flavorsome
• toothy
• toothsome
• heavenly
• delish
• delightful
• ambrosial
• pleasing
• pleasant
• eatable
• satisfying
• digestible
• gratifying
• exquisite
• agreeable
• rare
• delicate
• choice

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• flat
• stale
• distasteful
• unpalatable
• tasteless
• boring
• unsavory
• insipid
• tedious
• unappetizing
• commonplace
• banal
• smelly
• flavorless
• noxious
• yucky
• unwholesome
• unpleasant
• miserable
• repulsive
• offensive
• awful
• disgusting
• disagreeable
• stinky
• wretched
• repugnant
• horrid
• sickening
• detestable
• noisome
• abominable
• repellent
• abhorrent
• foul
• nauseating

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

Recent Examples of appetizing

The bigger, the sweeter, the more outlandish the dish, the more appetizing the bait for the social media influencers who will jolt a restaurant into stardom. — Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 30 Aug. 2026

As is customary on Grylls’ shows, guests dine on animals found during their escapades – each far less appetizing than loaves of bread or fish. — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026

Rank Their Lunch Items Have your child rank each item in their lunch from that day from the most delicious to the least appetizing. — Sarah Scott, Parents, 8 Aug. 2026

Trea Turner jumped on a particularly appetizing slider for a two-run homer in that ugly second inning. — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 21 July 2026