Definition of palatablenext
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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 palatable The tribe found other outlets for communal gathering, ways of translating its traditions into something palatable to white society. Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 The addition of Segalovitz to Ra’am could change that by making the party more palatable to the Israeli public and could expand its voting base. Tomer Almagor, Sun Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2026 Burrell didn’t record her first field goal until 43 seconds before halftime, but a steal and score in the waning seconds before the buzzer made her 2-for-9 performance from the field (0 for 4 from behind the arc) slightly more palatable. Kai Dizon, Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026 At an annual Space Resources Week event in Luxembourg, businesses have publicly discussed how to make mining other celestial bodies, including the Moon, more palatable for the public. Marissa E. Yingling, The Conversation, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for palatable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for palatable
Adjective
  • Their games have a lot of similarities at the same age, and Perfetti’s impact has been just okay in the NHL.
    Corey Pronman, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • In the end, the package never arrives, but that turns out to be okay.
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Engler said even in her early days of stardom, Parton was always kind and pleasant.
    Jessica Guay, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Ed Ingram was a pleasant surprise last season, but will that continue?
    Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Known for its sumptuous cuisine and delicious desserts, Italy has tourists lining up for gelato all over the peninsula.
    Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Black Pepper Candied Bacon Fogo de Chão/MANNY RODRIGUEZ At Fogo de Chão, this delicious bacon dish is oven roasted with brown sugar, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
    Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Spray cooling covers a surface with fine droplets that absorb heat and evaporate.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Now, some of the restaurants carrying that distinction are also questioning the conventions that have come to define fine dining.
    Carinne Geil Botta, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Define your part, name the deadline, and choose the version of participation that keeps creativity enjoyable and commitment realistic.
    Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026
  • But the mystery train starts veering off the rails as Flowers wanders away from enjoyable rhinestone reinvention and defaults to the heavy-handed Springsteenian realism that’s sometimes been both his Rosetta stone and his Achilles’ heel.
    Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The five-bedroom, four-bathroom residence with a finished basement features gorgeous millwork and tasteful updates The expansive property is located close to the Jackson Park Golf Course and the Obama Presidential Center.
    Rachel Freundt, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The cat-eye effect catches the light with a subtle, tasteful shimmer, coupled with some clear 3D accents for depth.
    Sunnah Rasheed, InStyle, 21 Aug. 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
  • The cabin interiors are built from a lovely blonde wood, which was aesthetically pleasing, if a little creaky at times, while the white linens on the comfortable queen bed were a subtle reminder that this is a luxury accommodation.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Stepping into unknown territory can feel especially pleasing today.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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