variants
also hors d'oeuvre
as in bites
a food served in small portions before the main part of a meal
a tray of assorted hors d'oeuvres
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Recent Examples of hors d'oeuvres
Light bites came courtesy of charcuterie stations and passed hors d'oeuvres like sips of tomato gazpacho.
—
Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
There was an open bar with two signature drinks – The Bubbly Rose, which featured blackberry, seltzer and vodka, and a red sangria – hors d'oeuvres and background music from a jazz trio made up of members of the Bluewater Kings Band, who would play the reception.
—Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Both anchovy paste and tomato paste can add depth to dressings, sauces, and pasta dishes; sherry vinegar is ideal for vinaigrettes and glazes; a jar of capers can elevate simple hors d'oeuvres; and chili sambals can bring the heat to eggs, marinades, and stir-fries.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 9 Jan. 2026
Prepare hors d'oeuvres and invite family members over for a rocking New Year's Eve gathering to reflect on the past year — and to set goals for the upcoming year together.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 29 Dec. 2025
Although the invitation stated that hors d'oeuvres will be provided, the Redditor doesn't believe that meets formal wedding expectations.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 11 Dec. 2025
Enjoy live music and hors d'oeuvres along the way.
—Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Dec. 2025
Have each course center on a classic fall produce type, from hors d'oeuvres to the main dish.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2025
For hors d'oeuvres, highlights include tuna carpaccio, French onion soup, steak tartare and the escargot and foie gras parfait that Starr loves.
—Hadley Hitson, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
There was an open bar with two signature drinks – The Bubbly Rose, which featured blackberry, seltzer and vodka, and a red sangria – hors d'oeuvres and background music from a jazz trio made up of members of the Bluewater Kings Band, who would play the reception.
—Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Both anchovy paste and tomato paste can add depth to dressings, sauces, and pasta dishes; sherry vinegar is ideal for vinaigrettes and glazes; a jar of capers can elevate simple hors d'oeuvres; and chili sambals can bring the heat to eggs, marinades, and stir-fries.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 9 Jan. 2026
Prepare hors d'oeuvres and invite family members over for a rocking New Year's Eve gathering to reflect on the past year — and to set goals for the upcoming year together.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 29 Dec. 2025
Although the invitation stated that hors d'oeuvres will be provided, the Redditor doesn't believe that meets formal wedding expectations.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 11 Dec. 2025
Enjoy live music and hors d'oeuvres along the way.
—Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Dec. 2025
Have each course center on a classic fall produce type, from hors d'oeuvres to the main dish.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2025
For hors d'oeuvres, highlights include tuna carpaccio, French onion soup, steak tartare and the escargot and foie gras parfait that Starr loves.
—Hadley Hitson, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hors d'oeuvres
Noun
-
The 5,384-square-foot micro-market, ReCharge by Gelson’s sells produce and hot food items such as breakfast burritos and sandwiches, chicken wings and tenders, pizza, hot dogs, soups and other small bites.—
Samantha Gowen,
Oc Register,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Her skin is cold and clammy, pockmarked with insect bites.—
Isabel Debre,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This 30-minute recipe made in just one skillet tastes like it was worked on for hours.—
Phoebe Evans,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The reboot retains most elements of the original series, but the animation has changed to be more in line with modern tastes—similar to the bright, bubbly style of CoComelon.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The property was once a 19th-century Catholic school and church campus, complete with a rectory and nunnery, and each room has a rotary phone and other touches of the not-so-distant past.—
Kate Kassin,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Each private suite, which can fit for one or two passengers, has a smooth, curved exterior with touches of silver, much like a supercar.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The building moved locations from a couple of spots in North Hollywood to its current location on Cypress.—
Julie Sharp,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca — three of Spain's most popular Mediterranean destinations — are among the top spots in Europe dealing with overtourism issues, as officials consider introducing hard limits on visitor numbers and putting other restrictions in place.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hors d'oeuvres.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hors%20d%27oeuvres. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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