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 Spinach Spinach is highly perishable and begins losing nutrients soon after harvest. — Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 2 July 2026 Emptying all the food scraps into the trash can and putting away any leftovers and perishable goods, Buchanan says. — Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 2 July 2026 Rows of cars have remained lined up at the Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) in Doral, where volunteers are collecting donations of non-perishable food, tents, and diapers to send to the disaster zone. — Manuel Bojorquez, CBS News, 1 July 2026 Like many food industries, Cauldron Ice Cream faces the challenge of perishable ingredients. — Chloe Dao, Mercury News, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for perishable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perishable
  1. fragile
  2. sensitive
  3. delicate
  4. susceptible
  5. vulnerable
Adjective
  • That summer, land next to the Okefenokee Swamp that was slated for a titanium mine was purchased by The Conservation Fund, spelling an end to a project some had feared could irreparably damage the fragile ecosystem.
    — Drew Kann, AJC.com, 20 July 2026
  • Given an increasingly fragile fiscal backdrop, more may follow.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 19 July 2026
Definition of fragile
Adjective
  • As the man building rings and providing backdrops with the event names on them for big press conferences, he is often trusted with sensitive information long before it is announced.
    — Chris McKenna, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • The risk manager requested anonymity to discuss sensitive business interests.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of sensitive
Adjective
  • For jewelry, a delicate gold watch, earrings, plus her Jessica McCormack engagement ring and wedding band.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 17 July 2026
  • Trump has made several announcements throughout the Iran war about the state of the crucial oil-shipping strait and the delicate ceasefire agreement on Truth Social that have affected financial markets and moved the price of oil.
    — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 16 July 2026
Definition of delicate
Adjective
  • Each saw human nature as susceptible to corruption by base impulses and self-interest.
    — Donovan Fifield, The Conversation, 16 July 2026
  • FODMAPs get fermented by colonic bacteria, producing gas and causing bloating and other gastrointestinal symptoms in susceptible individuals.
    — Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 15 July 2026
Definition of susceptible
Adjective
  • The European Union has banned AI that encourages dangerous behavior in vulnerable groups like children, and mandated transparency requirements for other chatbots.
    — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
  • Chiggers are soft bodied and are vulnerable to sharp microscopic material in diatomaceous earth.
    — Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 22 July 2026
Definition of vulnerable

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Cite this Entry

“Perishable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perishable. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on perishable

Nglish: Translation of perishable for Spanish Speakers

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