palatability 1 of 2

Definition of palatabilitynext
as in deliciousness
the quality of being delicious military rations that were obviously chosen for their durability and not their palatability

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

palatable

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adjective

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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

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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
  • Some focus primarily on tasting all the deliciousness offered by local producers, growers, and restaurants; other food tours provide the opportunity to dive deeper into history and culture or even try your hand at cooking local cuisine.
    Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2026
  • To the excitement of exactly those minds and all the minds that have yet to experience its deliciousness, Shake Shack has launched a new menu inspired by a dish that will be rather familiar and nostalgic to Southern home chefs.
    Aly Walansky, Southern Living, 31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • When the sun went down, things were quiet and okay.
    Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Becka asks if the life of a Wife is too much to bear, but Penny seems okay.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The band's courtesy visit was a pleasant break for Japan's first female leader, known for her long working hours and now struggling with strained diplomatic ties with China, the fallouts from the war in the Middle East as well as rising prices at home.
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
  • The band’s courtesy visit was a pleasant break for Japan’s first female leader, known for her long working hours and now struggling with strained diplomatic ties with China, the fallouts from the war in the Middle East as well as rising prices at home.
    Mari Yamaguchi, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The parathas, as the savory flatbreads are called, stuffed with onion and paneer and coated with a generous amount of butter, are as delicious as ever.
    Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 11 Apr. 2026
  • This simple combination of strawberries, lemon, basil, and sugar is the key to so many fruit-forward desserts, but the sweet mixture is just as delicious when enjoyed on its own.
    Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Tumbleweed’s lone saving grace is the edibility of its young shoots.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 28 Feb. 2026
  • The edibility status of Amanita muscaria is complicated.
    Matt Kasson, Popular Science, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Trotsky’s arguments about revolution in one nation versus a revolution of the international proletariat, like the fine argumentative tracery of Paul’s Jewish Christians versus Greek ones, seemed vital to the movement at the time but weirdly trivial and abstract to those outside it.
    Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Members of the first group will be fine even as college closures accelerate.
    Jeffrey Selingo, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Big Tech lawsuits, such as the one coming out of California, shift blame away from guardians to tech companies who are simply making their products maximally enjoyable.
    Maggie Anders, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026
  • But there is something enjoyable — again, exciting — about this kind of showing off.
    Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The two-level 32,000-square-foot space is dedicated to all things X-rated, albeit done in a tasteful way, of course.
    Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Located on the ground floor of a 19th-century villa, the studio apartment is simple and modern, outfitted with minimal but tasteful furnishings.
    Madeline Weinfield, Architectural Digest, 30 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Palatability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palatability. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.

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