PALATABLE Synonyms: 221 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

palatable

adjective

ˈpa-lə-tə-bəl

Definition of palatable next

as in OK

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 palatable Last week, several legislative tweaks made the plan more palatable to City Council members. —

Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 16 June 2026 Tinder and other apps made online dating more palatable for an entire generation by reinventing it as a casual mobile experience. —

Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 12 June 2026 Every budget fix will have its critics, but some options are more palatable than others. —

Martha Gimbel, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026 We have been conditioned to believe that loving care requires the constant presence of highly palatable reward, rebranding the slow-motion collapse of metabolic health as a form of kindness. —

Joshua Moen, STAT, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for palatable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for palatable

Adjective

But, for the sake of this story, roll with me here, okay?

— Eva Thomas, InStyle, 25 June 2026
However, some watermelons are deliberately grown in molds to create interesting shapes, and that's okay.

— Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 25 June 2026

Definition of OK

Adjective

Cherry trees showcase beautiful blooms in the spring and produce delicious fruit in late spring and early summer.

— SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 27 June 2026
The spinach and feta pastry was delicious, salty enough from the cheese filling and not too heavy.

— Eva Flowe June 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 June 2026

Definition of delicious

Adjective

There is a real distinction between a city unified by five fine starting players in a game that originally involved throwing a ball into a peach basket and that, however improbably, became the city game, and the bloody display in the nation’s capital.

— Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 21 June 2026
Los Angeles County health officer Muntu Davis said the main public health concern was smoke and fine particles that can cause temporary irritation of the ear, nose, throat and lungs, as well as exacerbate heart and lung conditions.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 June 2026

Definition of fine

Adjective

Fresh-tasting ice makes every sip more enjoyable, so identifying and fixing the issue is worth the effort.

— Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 27 June 2026
One of the things that was also enjoyable is being able to talk about modern things in a historical context, even with that phone.

— Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026

Definition of enjoyable

Adjective

There are all sorts of celebrations going on to commemorate this momentous occasion, as well as some tasteful product introductions from American brands.

— Nancy Olson, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
There are many styling choices that professional interior designers find to be tacky rather than tasteful, proving that there can be such a thing as too much decoration.

— Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 23 June 2026

Definition of tasteful

Adjective

The Cowboys went with a more aesthetically pleasing tint on the windows, which does have a dramatic effect on the natural sun inside the stadium.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2026
However, the major downside is that the sprinkler might not be aesthetically pleasing and requires a steady water source, which can be difficult to provide during droughts.

— Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 18 June 2026