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 Travel experts recommend simple, non-perishable snacks, secure containers, and considerate timing when eating on board. — Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 9 Aug. 2026 Heat can also change the texture and quality of some candies, especially those made with chocolate, dairy, or other perishable ingredients. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 9 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for perishable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perishable
  1. fragile
  2. sensitive
  3. delicate
  4. susceptible
  5. vulnerable
Adjective
  • When their ailing mother comes to live with them, old resentments resurface, forcing both women to confront grief, faith, ambition, and the fragile bonds that hold a family together.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The characters aren’t simply vulnerable—they’re contradictory and fragile.
    — Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of fragile
Adjective
  • Those could include remote sensors, autonomous underwater vehicles and other equipment that requires persistent, low-visibility power in remote and sensitive offshore and coastal environments, as well as power resiliency for forward military bases.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Musk’s officials infiltrated department after department, canceling contracts, firing employees, viewing sensitive data, and kneecapping programs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as foreign aid.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of sensitive
Adjective
  • Marcus called the procedure an important first step toward reducing risks during delicate brain operations.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Elordi’s soft-spoken performance, paired with his delicate and awkward features, provides a nice contrast with Brolin’s tree-stump obduracy.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of delicate
Adjective
  • Their protection schemes might expect edge rushers, but both Van Ginkel and Turner could drift backward, making the interior more susceptible.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Therapists, being human, are susceptible to biases and errors during demanding sessions, which can occur before, during, or after client interactions.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of susceptible
Adjective
  • The song is written as a conversation with that mythic other woman, who Parton confronts here in a way that manages to come across as both extremely vulnerable and drawing on a huge reserve of strength.
    — Ed Masley, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
  • For someone vulnerable to an eating disorder, [pressure] from social media, celebrity images, or the growing visibility of GLP-1 medications can reinforce restriction and the belief that their body is somehow not small enough.
    — Marti Noxon, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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