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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 But the scenes that racing die-hards may question are part of the bargain struck to make the movie palatable to a wider audience, serving as important ingredients in the plot. Sahil Kapur, NBC news, 17 June 2025 If passed, these growth initiatives could provide some sweet dessert to make the tariff vegetables more palatable to economic growth. Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025 Even the House’s version of cuts, the letter stated, would be a more palatable solution. Miriam Waldvogel, The Hill, 29 June 2025 There’s a positive reinforcement of users helping each other find the best deals (making that grudge purchase a bit more palatable). Linnea Geiss, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for palatable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for palatable
Adjective
  • Like, so deeply moral and kind and pleasant and smart.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 14 July 2025
  • Like so deeply moral and kind and pleasant and smart.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • Heavy and unadorned, this simple slab of metal makes delicious pizza pies that are crispy and crusty in all the right places.
    Francesca Krempa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 July 2025
  • Playing Francis Cobb was a great delicious blessing top to bottom.
    Shania Russell, EW.com, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • Yang had designed his interiors to incorporate a tasteful mix of Western and Eastern décor: a wall covered in de Gournay wallpaper here, a Serge Mouille light fixture there, Joseon pottery and contemporary Korean art scattered throughout.
    Thessaly La Force, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2025
  • In line with past seasons, the latest collection of Bear episodes features a plethora of tasteful rock ‘n’ roll needle drops, courtesy of co-music supervisors Christopher Storer and Josh Senior, who also serve as the series’ showrunner and executive producer, respectively.
    Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 2 July 2025
Adjective
  • People in their finest gathered under those lights.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 July 2025
  • Experts believe that rice played a role in rituals that were performed in the cave, which also included fine pottery, shell pendants and ornaments.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • Some users may want a smoother bokeh effect with a wider aperture, but the f/2 aperture on this lens produces a pleasing bokeh effect that isolates subjects.
    Harry Bennett, Space.com, 3 July 2025
  • There’s plenty pleasing the eye at the elegant restaurant adorned with shiny chandeliers, red velvet booths, a bountiful display of red roses, a red piano atop the bar, and art deco-inspired pieces on the walls.
    Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
Adjective
  • The Healdsburg property, for instance, will be surrounded by vineyards and will feature an extensive edible garden steps from the guest rooms.
    Matt Villano, AFAR Media, 17 July 2025
  • Arrange your fruit along with some edible flowers to create an upscale look.
    Josh Miller, Southern Living, 17 July 2025
Adjective
  • The action is well-choreographed, and the on-stage performances are convincing replicas of real K-pop girl groups, but nothing in the film is as delightful as the way the animators contort the faces of the leads with some manga inspired faces and reactions.
    Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 11 July 2025
  • Those dropshots are delightful toppings to the dessert collection of sweet spot strokes in Alcaraz’s armory.
    Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • The other specs are perfectly satisfactory for a model at this price.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 9 July 2025
  • Synan’s attorney declined to comment on a similar question, as well as a question about whether the resignation is a satisfactory outcome for the police chief.
    Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Palatable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palatable. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.

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