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perishable

adjective

Definition of perishablenext
as in fragile
likely to spoil or decay quickly; not likely to stay fresh for a long time if not eaten or used Don't buy large amounts of perishable foods like produce before you leave for vacation.

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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 perishable Since strawberries are highly perishable, spotting any bruising or damage means mold spores have an easier place to begin spreading across the fruit, warns Jared Hibbard-Swanson, a food security and safety program manager. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 30 Aug. 2026 Stock up on non-perishable food, water, hygiene items, and disposable utensils for 3–7 days. — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2026 The perishable fruits and vegetables were long imported through the Strait of Hormuz to Saudi Arabia’s eastern coasts, now closed by dueling blockades and Iranian demands to extract tolls. — Taylor Luck, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Aug. 2026 During weekend camping trips, lunch meat and other perishable foods need to stay cold for a couple of days. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for perishable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perishable
  1. fragile
  2. sensitive
  3. delicate
  4. susceptible
  5. vulnerable
Adjective
  • The plant clips feature high-quality waterproof plastic that’s durable but gentle on fragile stems.
    — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Sep. 2026
  • As China’s Xi Jinping heads to Washington this week for high-stakes talks, the war in the Mideast and fragile shipping routes keep markets on edge, with analysts warning oil could still soar higher.
    — Aamer Madhani, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of fragile
Adjective
  • The ability for any app or command to control an endpoint where sensitive user speech is processed is an entirely different matter.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Most pressure-sensitive adhesives are based on polymers, long chains of repeating molecular units that become entangled with one another.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of sensitive
Adjective
  • These are the glimmers of something in the fringes that keep The Cherry Orchard, even in our age of jonesing to burn it all down, so miraculously delicate and devastating.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Rich Handel, resident laundry expert at Consumer Reports, warns that mixing heavy fabrics like denim with delicate garments increases friction and degrades the softer material.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of delicate
Adjective
  • The 49ers don’t have a deep defensive tackle room and are susceptible against the run, but if the 49ers’ offense can force opponents into passing scripts, Morris’ defense has a chance to surprise.
    — Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Those navigating the market without the requisite knowledge or information are susceptible to potential outlier losses.
    — David Capablanca, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of susceptible
Adjective
  • The fourth, the Indian rhinoceros, is vulnerable, its habitat shrinking rapidly as fragmented and isolated population groups spread across a shattered landscape littered with invasive plant species poisonous to the animals.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The storms destroyed sections of a seawall and historic boardwalk in Long Beach, shuttered a long-vulnerable stretch of coastal railway in San Clemente, and further threatened Carlsbad Boulevard, also known as Old Highway 101, in Carlsbad.
    — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of vulnerable

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perish
perishable
perished
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Cite this Entry

“Perishable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perishable. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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