Definition of palatablenext
1
2
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

3

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 Hundreds of years of farming and cooking would likely result in something more palatable. — Noel Murray, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026 Most important, the mutual blockade has the advantage of being more palatable to political leaders in Washington than any of the alternative options. — James F. Jeffrey, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026 Kochetkov being included over Bussi is a lot more palatable for Carolina, but losing a first, Nikishin and Nadeau for an area that technically isn’t the most pressing one is way too big of a bet. — Murat Ates, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 And the team is already working on making the cookies more palatable, with an eye toward the cookies being ready to eat in just a few years. — ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for palatable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for palatable
Adjective
  • Sometimes there isn’t enough time, mental, emotional, or physical capacity to take on another commitment, and that’s okay, too.
    — Jasmine Johnson, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Happily, Aesha’s mom is ten years sober, and everyone is okay.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Dry and pleasant conditions are forecast to continue into Monday with no mentionable rain chances along with seasonable afternoon temperatures anticipated.
    — Felix Rodriguez, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Thanks to the coffered and baffled wood ceilings, noise levels are buffered and kept to a pleasant rumble.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The lively spot is known for its colorful cocktails, packed calendar of weekly events and specials, and consistently delicious Mexican fare.
    — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2026
  • For dinner, go back into town for Feast and Floret's delicious Italian small plates and impeccable vibes—or head to Wm.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • These fossils preserve records of soft tissues and fine details normally lost.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Green Bay was fine against the Vikings, at least for the first half of the game.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The experience was surprisingly enjoyable, giving me an easy way to discover new music by tapping into live radio.
    — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Not every enjoyable moment needs to prove its long-term potential.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 24 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • After lying dormant for over twenty years, the property has been completely renovated to make the space feel tasteful, modern, and comfortable while continuing to pay tribute to its deep archival roots.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
  • And the Heartbreakers are perhaps the most tasteful song-servers in rock history.
    — Adam Gold, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • When looking for symptoms, anything can become suspect; and when comfort is sought, anything can look alright.
    — Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The kids are not alright, or even right in the head in Serbian drama 3 Weeks After.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 17 July 2026
Adjective
  • This Amazon Kindle Paperwhite kids eReader sports a bright 7-inch display that makes all of your ebooks pleasing to look at it.
    — George Yang, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026
  • While not exactly aesthetically pleasing to look at, white mold is safe for your plants.
    — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 26 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Palatable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palatable. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster