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 Butternut squash skins are in the middle; some people may find the roasted skin palatable, but others will not. — Bridget Shirvell, Martha Stewart, 13 Sep. 2026 Wedding clients perform love instead of living it; her brother, a congressman, disguises his LGBTQ identity to make his political one more palatable; the gentrifiers of her neighborhood trumpet their changes as progress. — Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026 The tradeoff between giving up some personal privacy in exchange for expedited screening is one that many travelers welcome, making air travel more palatable for travelers and more efficient for TSA officers. — Sheldon H. Jacobson, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2026 Hundreds of years of farming and cooking would likely result in something more palatable. — Noel Murray, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for palatable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for palatable
Adjective
  • This specific task on his to-do list proves difficult when Dougal grows dissatisfied by the fight coming to a draw, both sides claiming victory, and both sides being seemingly okay with all of this.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
  • This felt like another ploy from City to yet again prove that nothing is wrong, and everything will be totally okay.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The pleasant drop, although not quite sweater weather, does come with some risks on the water with wind and rough conditions on the beach.
    — Miami Herald Staff Report, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The home's standout feature is that large porch, which really boosts living space and looks like a pleasant place to host guests.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • There are so many delicious desserts that star apples, including cakes, cobblers, and more.
    — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2026
  • No ermine robe was too soft, and no dish too delicious, for the cardinals of the past.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • More offices reported investments in luxury assets, from watches, fine jewelry, art and spirits to sports teams and music rights.
    — Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • This is apparently perfectly fine with the US justice system.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The playoffs are always enjoyable, and this season has been no exception.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Even gambling, when approached responsibly, can be an enjoyable recreational activity.
    — Aneri Jambusaria, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The smoothness of Knock Knock echoes through the rolling mid-tempo grooves of Stiltz’s unshowy arrangements, featuring drifting pedal steel from Theo Stocks and tasteful embellishments from Ana Roxanne on piano and vocals.
    — Harry Thorfinn-George, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The great outdoors The outdoor space of Crawford’s Brentwood home rivaled its tasteful interior.
    — Megan Johnson, Architectural Digest, 14 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • But the bigger takeaway may be the sense that the kids are alright, musically-speaking.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Adjective
  • Meta has collaborated with Kylie Jenner and Ray-Ban to make their controversial AI glasses more aesthetically pleasing, and real robots are closer than ever before to the world of fashion.
    — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Aesthetically, the Xbox Ally X20 is far more visually pleasing than the plain black original, and the handheld comes with a simple cardboard stand for showcasing it on your desk or for monitor use.
    — Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Palatable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palatable. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

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