PALATABLE Synonyms: 221 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

palatable

adjective

ˈpa-lə-tə-bəl

Definition of palatable

as in OK

being to one's liking I did not find the idea of moving again very palatable

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in delicious

very pleasing to the sense of taste the vegetarian version of that classic dish turned out to be equally palatable

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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 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 See All Example Sentences for palatable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for palatable

Adjective

People are not okay with further cuts to school staff, afterschool programs and essential services.

— Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
Today’s program is explicitly for women who have an impending release date, are okay with speaking to the press, and willing to be on camera for Beauty Beyond Bars’ and Allure’s social channels.

— Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of OK

Adjective

These include beautiful beaches, delicious food, temples, scenic landscapes, wellness experiences, and adventures that push her beyond her usual routine.

— Ethan Stone October 9, Idaho Statesman, 9 Oct. 2026
Everything was delicious, beautifully presented, and memorable.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of delicious

Adjective

This year, more than 10,000 entries from 112 countries were judged in one of the most enjoyable photo competitions on the calendar.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2026
The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful—don't expect any pretense here, just genuine (and enjoyable) engagement.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of enjoyable

Adjective

The great outdoors The outdoor space of Crawford’s Brentwood home rivaled its tasteful interior.

— Megan Johnson, Architectural Digest, 14 Oct. 2026
Plush carpeting, touches of turquoise in a largely eggshell-forward palette, tasteful landscape paintings that border on abstract, and spacious private balconies make up the subtle suite design, allaying any worries of dowdy beach resort decor.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of tasteful

Adjective

Its look, a pleasing meld of contemporary glass and steel, mid-century accents, and exposed brickwork, nods to the past.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
This puzzle is stuffed with nuance, pleasing crosses and a lot of simply terrific, ridiculously evocative stuff — for example, a jarring assortment of lovely trivia intersecting with some hideous ailments at more than one juncture.

— Caitlin Lovinger, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of pleasing

Cite this Entry

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“Palatable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palatable. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of palatable

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