DELECTATION Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

delectation

noun

ˌdē-ˌlek-ˈtā-shən

Definition of delectation

as in joy

a source of great satisfaction tourists enjoying the delectations of this tropical paradise for the first time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in enjoyment

the feeling experienced when one's wishes are met a musical concert was presented for the delectation of the guests

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 delectation The movie wastes no time delivering the gory goods, which are served up for our delectation like the killings in a slasher movie. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 11 Apr. 2026 The result is a Pynchonian reduction simmered to delectation. — Jack Denton, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025 Beatmakers and sound design whizzes were summoned at ungodly hours to conjure nightmares of party music for their employer’s curatorial delectation. — Pitchfork, 30 Sep. 2025 More than fifty years ago, any semi-sentient being could recognize the dangers of forcing minors to work gruelling hours performing emotions for the delectation of large and unseen audiences, long before their brains had finished developing. — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2025 Shelly still loves the glitz (as does the film’s director, Gia Coppola, who lingers on it all with real delectation), reminiscing about her glory days in cabaret. — Rhonda Garelick, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2025 Magnificent, with a thundering equine climax for adult delectation. — Armond White, National Review, 28 June 2023

Recent Examples of Synonyms for delectation

Noun

Children crowded the play areas, despite the damp, gray weather, shrieking with joy (and in one instance, crying).

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026
Italians are fed energetically with the sustenance of beauty, ease, and joy.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of joy

Noun

In a Harris Poll survey published Wednesday, 65% of American adults reported spending $100 or more on playful activities or products — such as craft kits or action figures — for personal enjoyment between June 2025 and June 2026.

— Renée Onque, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
My enjoyment now came from sitting back and watching her shine.

— Diana Daniele, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of enjoyment

Noun

Wesley Fofana missed what proved to be the final kick of the shootout, smashing it well over the crossbar and into The Kop at Anfield as Liverpool fans roared in delight.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026
Dimensional, smooth, and an absolute delight to look at, calf hair also brings with it the benefit of longevity, meaning the Coach handbags above are guaranteed to stay in tip-top shape for years (if not decades) on end.

— Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of delight

Noun

Spates of them appear every couple of years, often inspired by surveys of financial contentment like Goldman’s.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
The series will explore what constitutes happiness in different cultures and show the travelers — and viewers — different approaches to contentment.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of contentment

Noun

Just a little advance planning and plenty of time to focus on sweet potatoes, apple pie, and the rest of your Thanksgiving feast.

— Alton Brown, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026
Nominally this was a Christian feast day of Saint Brigid, patron saint of poetry and lambing, who was said to have lived in Ireland in the late fifth century.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of feast

Noun

That instinct to preserve some special purchases in spite of pressure from higher prices reflects a kind of little treat economy, when consumers splurge on smaller pleasures even if they’re squeezed by costs.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2026
The afternoons are great for small pleasures but not at all suitable for a potentially deciding championship game in a billion-dollar sports league.

— Candace Buckner, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of pleasure

Noun

As much an acknowledgment of survival as a rallying cry, the song draws out sadness as well as satisfaction from the audience.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
Correspondence files can be mined for service failures—moments where the company’s response didn’t match the member’s need—that predict attrition much more accurately than any customer satisfaction survey.

— Amanda Turcotte, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of satisfaction

Browse Nearby Words

delectably

delectation

delectations

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Style

“Delectation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delectation. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of delectation

noun

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