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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
Non-perishable food items for the Christian Food Pantry of Valparaiso are welcome.
—
Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026
If perishable food or beverages are stored for an extended period, pressure can build up and cause the stopper to forcefully eject when the container is opened.
—Francie Ebert, NBC news, 1 May 2026
Always keep your emergency kit stocked with an array of non-perishable foods.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 1 May 2026
Yet these more perishable materials present a challenge for modern archaeologists.
—Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for perishable
Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026
If perishable food or beverages are stored for an extended period, pressure can build up and cause the stopper to forcefully eject when the container is opened.
—Francie Ebert, NBC news, 1 May 2026
Always keep your emergency kit stocked with an array of non-perishable foods.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 1 May 2026
Yet these more perishable materials present a challenge for modern archaeologists.
—Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for perishable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perishable
Adjective
-
In fact, oil and gasoline futures both rebounded on Thursday as new fighting in the Middle East underscores the fragile nature of the ceasefire.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
-
Generating a test, refactoring a fragile selector or maintaining a test suite are the kinds of tasks where AI coding shines.—
Ethan Pronev,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Exfoliating sensitive skin, like mine, is a delicate dance.—
Christina Oehler,
InStyle,
31 May 2026
-
With that in mind, the experts advise introducing the formula gradually, especially for those with sensitive skin.—
Rosa Jisoo Pyo,
Vogue,
31 May 2026
Adjective
-
Soursop is a delicate fruit, so it should be handled with care.—
Kirsten Nunez,
Martha Stewart,
28 May 2026
-
Old Grand‑Dad 114 and Redemption push hard into spice, while Four Roses Single Barrel and Small Batch show how yeast and blending can turn the same basic ingredients into something perfumed and almost delicate.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Peaches are susceptible to several diseases, including peach leaf curl, brown rot, bacterial spot, and peach scab, as well as plum curculio and other pests.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
30 May 2026
-
Commercial country music, a format of songwriting that is at least somewhat reliant on wordplay and the constant re-arranging of a familiar set of symbols (trucks, mud, whiskey, and so forth), can be particularly susceptible to the accusations.—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
Wildfire resiliency advocates are warning that the loss of these funds will leave the state vulnerable to devastation, and are calling on California’s next governor to take that threat seriously.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
Why are school lunches still vulnerable to industry pressure?—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perishable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perishable. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
