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 Get leftovers and other perishable foods into the refrigerator within two hours, and keep your refrigerator at 40°F or colder. — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026 The inspector noted two repeat violations — perishable items not being held at a safe temperature and an insufficient number of sinks for employees to wash their hands. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Aug. 2026 Lettuce is especially perishable and requires energy for cooling from the time it’s picked to the time it’s sold, Canales said. — Dee-Ann Durbin, Fortune, 30 July 2026 Lettuce is especially perishable and requires energy for cooling from the time it's picked to the time it's sold, Canales said. — ABC News, 29 July 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 latter can be ceramic (which is unfortunately fragile), steel (usually with a protective chrome finish) or wood.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Construction accidents are common in India, where rapid infrastructure growth often collides with fragile geology, construction lapses, extreme weather and safety standards.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of fragile
Adjective
  • Batteries can store electricity, but extreme cold can threaten sensitive electronics and other critical hardware.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026
  • There are several hundred stars that closely orbit this giant black hole and are sensitive to its gravity.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of sensitive
Adjective
  • The dishes are a light and succulent reinterpretation of Menorca’s gastronomic heritage with an emphasis on seafood and a delicate French accent.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Denker had a study done, based on races that took place on Belle Isle in Michigan, showing that IndyCars racing at full speed wouldn’t damage buildings more delicate than the ones around the Mall.
    — Adam Kilgore, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of delicate
Adjective
  • In fact there are a number of herbs, vitamins, and prescription medications that can make your skin especially susceptible to sunburn, including some SSRIs, hypertension medications, and cholesterol-lowering medications.
    — Diana Helmuth, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Child development experts have noted teenagers are more susceptible to social comparison than adults, so products that reward popularity can be more harmful to their mental health.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of susceptible
Adjective
  • The composite score of cumulative impacts reflects communities in Chicago that are most burdened by pollution and most vulnerable to its effects.
    — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Damage to civilian infrastructure, including electricity, water and gas systems, could once again leave millions vulnerable during the harsh winter months, raising fears of a repeat of last winter’s severe conditions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of vulnerable

Browse Nearby Words

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 23 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on perishable

Nglish: Translation of perishable for Spanish Speakers

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