as in spoon
a utensil with a bowl and a handle that is used especially in cooking and serving food
the chef looked around for a ladle to add the chicken broth to the pot
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in to scoop
to lift out with something that holds liquid
the server ladled out the soup from a large tureen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ladle
Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2025
At Curry in a Hurry, Sajjad Chowdhury ladles steaming goat curry into a bowl for a customer while reflecting on the news the very building where investigators say the high-stakes poker games took place is just a block away.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Nov. 2025
Carefully pour or ladle the hot milk over the chocolates in the mug and stir.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ladle
Noun
Pair with an enamelware ladle and some crusty bread for an unforgettable meal.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2025
At Curry in a Hurry, Sajjad Chowdhury ladles steaming goat curry into a bowl for a customer while reflecting on the news the very building where investigators say the high-stakes poker games took place is just a block away.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
When ready to serve, ladle servings into heatproof mugs.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Nov. 2025
Carefully pour or ladle the hot milk over the chocolates in the mug and stir.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ladle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ladle
Noun
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The sheet cake is poked with the handle end of a wooden spoon, creating big holes into which the lemon Jell-o (the glaze) was poured.—
Carolynn Carreño,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
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For something more funky and futuristic, Alessi’s polished steel spoon holder delivers an ideal blend of form and function.—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Crack through the sugary topping and scoop it on slices of apple.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
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Poppe was known in the Cincinnati news scene for scooping other TV stations during his 37 years at channel 9, starting in 1970 until retiring in 2007.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ladle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ladle. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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