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 Right now, Amazon has the metallic Oura Ring 4s on sale for $100, bringing the steep $499 list price down to a much more palatable $399. Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 6 July 2026 And are there more moves to come that will make this stunning shakeup any more palatable for Celtics fans? Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 2 July 2026 And, for all the theater of the hearing and Wyper’s expressions of sympathy with aldermen, the Stonepeak executive didn’t offer any meaningful concessions to make this obnoxious meter deal more palatable for Chicagoans. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026 Though it's closely related to lemongrass, citronella grass is not palatable for using in cooking. Steve Bender, Southern Living, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for palatable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for palatable
Adjective
  • Edward Igoe said all officers involved in the situation are okay, but the suspect has died.
    Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 5 July 2026
  • After a December test screening proved to be just okay, the studio decided to take matters into its own hands and took charge of the post-production to make its own cut.
    Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2026
Adjective
  • Cecchi recommends visiting from April to June or alternatively in September or October, when the weather is pleasant and the city feels slightly less crowded.
    Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • Most people can recover on their own, although the symptoms aren’t pleasant, says Yancey.
    Alice Park, Time, 8 July 2026
Adjective
  • Whip up a big batch of this delicious chicken salad to have ready to go all week.
    Patricia S York, Southern Living, 4 July 2026
  • That includes delicious deals across lots of furniture and home decor, including bedroom pieces, outdoor gems, and ceramics to uplift any area of your home.
    Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 3 July 2026
Adjective
  • Public health data has taught us that alcohol, which can be fine when consumed in moderation, can be harmful to individual and societal health in excessive amounts.
    Adam Hoffer, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • Good Chop is dedicated to providing the finest cuts of meat while promoting sustainable practices.
    Rachel Cortez, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Adjective
  • More than 90% agreed or strongly agreed that scent work is enjoyable for dogs, tires them out and builds confidence in shy dogs.
    Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026
  • An enjoyable end-to-end affair where the first half felt like a rout, with Australia having as many shots as yellow cards — two, the same number of goals the United States had scored.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Adjective
  • The overall aesthetic is simplistic and filled with natural light, with a tasteful (never cluttered) array of antiques and more modern furniture pieces interspersed throughout.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026
  • It was marked by smooth logistical execution, massive yet tasteful staging, and lush gardens that transformed Madison Square Garden into a magical, mystical romantic world, where a crowd embraced love and national kindness across societal divides.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 8 July 2026
Adjective
  • Know that things are gonna be alright, and there is definitely a bright future ahead.
    Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
  • But the kids are alright, too, and several up-and-comers are name-checked as ones to watch.
    Max Mathews, New York Times, 9 June 2026
Adjective
  • The whole enterprise glows with friendly, pleasing daffiness.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 10 July 2026
  • Designed by Eduardo Suarez, the new restaurant is bright and eye-pleasing, with more space than the original.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Palatable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palatable. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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