PALATABILITIES Synonyms: 242 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'palatable' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of palatable are appetizing , savory , tasty , and toothsome . While all these words mean "agreeable or pleasant especially to the sense of taste," palatable often applies to something that is found to be merely agreeable. // butterflies that birds find palatable

Q: When could 'appetizing' be used to replace 'palatable'?

In some situations, the words appetizing and palatable are roughly equivalent. However, appetizing suggests a whetting of the appetite and applies to aroma and appearance as well as taste. // appetizing hors d'oeuvres

Q: When would 'savory' be a good substitute for 'palatable'?

The meanings of savory and palatable largely overlap; however, savory applies to both taste and aroma and suggests piquancy and often spiciness. // dumplings with savory fillings

Q: When is it sensible to use 'tasty' instead of 'palatable'?

The words tasty and palatable can be used in similar contexts, but tasty implies a pronounced taste. // a tart and tasty pie

Q: In what contexts can 'toothsome' take the place of 'palatable'?

While the synonyms toothsome and palatable are close in meaning, toothsome stresses the notion of agreeableness and sometimes implies tenderness or daintiness. // an enticing array of toothsome desserts

palatability 1 of 2

noun

Definition of palatability next

as in deliciousness

the quality of being delicious military rations that were obviously chosen for their durability and not their palatability

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

palatable

2 of 2

adjective

ˈpa-lə-tə-bəl

as in OK

being to one's liking I did not find the idea of moving again very palatable

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in pleasant

giving pleasure or contentment to the mind or senses I always associate the palatable aroma of roasting turkey with Thanksgiving

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in delicious

very pleasing to the sense of taste the vegetarian version of that classic dish turned out to be equally palatable

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of palatable are appetizing, savory, tasty, and toothsome. While all these words mean "agreeable or pleasant especially to the sense of taste," palatable often applies to something that is found to be merely agreeable.

butterflies that birds find palatable

When could appetizing be used to replace palatable?

In some situations, the words appetizing and palatable are roughly equivalent. However, appetizing suggests a whetting of the appetite and applies to aroma and appearance as well as taste.

appetizing hors d'oeuvres

When would savory be a good substitute for palatable?

The meanings of savory and palatable largely overlap; however, savory applies to both taste and aroma and suggests piquancy and often spiciness.

dumplings with savory fillings

When is it sensible to use tasty instead of palatable?

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

a tart and tasty pie

In what contexts can toothsome take the place of palatable?

While the synonyms toothsome and palatable 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 palatability

Noun

The Palestinians being floated to join efforts to administer Gaza seem selected primarily for their palatability to foreign governments. —

Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025 Categories that don’t deliver on validation, simplicity and palatability often struggle to scale. —

Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2025

Adjective

In a highly visible split between House and Senate Republicans, Johnson said the agreement to fund all of DHS minus Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol wasn't palatable to his members. —

Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026 Compared with the seeds of almost every other plant, grass seed is highly palatable, especially for a dexterous ape whose hands can slough off the chaff. —

Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for palatability

Recent Examples of Synonyms for palatability

Noun

Sesame + ginger in a salad dressing promises the kind of Asian deliciousness that is literally craveable.

— Jolene Thym, Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2026
Sheer deliciousness is eternally relevant.

— Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026

Definition of deliciousness

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pal (around)

palatability

palatable

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“Palatability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palatability. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

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Synonyms of palatability

noun

adjective

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