Synonyms of savory

savory 1 of 2

adjective

ˈsā-və-rē 

variants also savoury

1

as in aromatic

having a pleasant smell

cedar is one of the most savory of all woods

Synonyms & Similar Words

• aromatic
• fragrant
• scented
• spicy
• sweet
• perfumed
• ambrosial
• redolent
• fresh
• pungent
• flowery
• odorous
• odoriferous
• fruity
• pure
• odiferous
• odored
• clean

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• strong
• putrid
• stinky
• malodorous
• smelly
• fetid
• foul
• rancid
• stinking
• noisome
• reeking
• rank
• odorless
• reeky
• unscented
• skunky
• stale
• stenchy
• stenchful
• musty
• fusty
• gamy

2

as in delicious

very pleasing to the sense of taste

a savory beef stew that really hit the spot

Synonyms & Similar Words

• delicious
• flavorful
• edible
• tasteful
• tasty
• delectable
• succulent
• scrumptious
• yummy
• appetizing
• luscious
• dainty
• lush
• flavorsome
• ambrosial
• palatable
• heavenly
• delightful
• toothsome
• mouthwatering
• toothy
• delish
• pleasant
• satisfying
• pleasing
• digestible
• eatable
• exquisite
• delicate
• rare
• agreeable
• gratifying
• choice

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• flat
• unsavory
• stale
• tasteless
• unpalatable
• insipid
• distasteful
• boring
• tedious
• banal
• commonplace
• unappetizing
• flavorless
• noxious
• smelly
• unwholesome
• yucky
• unpleasant
• disagreeable
• stinky
• miserable
• repulsive
• offensive
• disgusting
• wretched
• awful
• noisome
• detestable
• repugnant
• sickening
• foul
• horrid
• abominable
• repellent
• abhorrent
• nauseating

3

as in sweet

giving pleasure or contentment to the mind or senses

having to fire someone was not a task that the manager found at all savory

Synonyms & Similar Words

• delicious
• sweet
• delightful
• pleasant
• enjoyable
• nice
• pleasing
• satisfying
• heavenly
• good
• welcome
• tasty
• delectable
• pretty
• soothing
• comforting
• pleasurable
• dreamy
• luscious
• tempting
• felicitous
• congenial
• amusing
• agreeable
• jolly
• palatable
• gratifying
• comfortable
• grateful
• darling
• blessed
• charming
• desirable
• fascinating
• attractive
• dulcet
• happy
• delightsome
• blissful
• alluring
• entertaining
• enchanting
• inviting
• cheerful
• enviable
• calming
• relishable
• gracious
• amiable
• hospitable
• joyous
• cheery
• personable
• goodly
• affable
• genial
• exhilarating
• rapturous
• recreative
• good-natured
• kindly
• euphoric
• ecstatic
• glad
• intoxicating
• felicific
• diverting
• gemütlich
• elating
• nirvanic

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unpleasant
• disagreeable
• unwelcome
• unpalatable
• repulsive
• disgusting
• offensive
• unsavory
• vile
• ghastly
• miserable
• obnoxious
• horrid
• repugnant
• abominable
• hellish
• detestable
• wretched
• flat
• distasteful
• bilious
• repellent
• odious
• boring
• hateful
• tedious
• insipid
• stale
• dull
• abhorrent
• sad
• tragic
• commonplace
• irksome
• unhappy
• gloomy
• sorrowful
• depressing
• revulsive
• mournful
• dismal
• pleasureless
• dreary
• yucky
• displeasing
• irritating
• hostile
• doleful
• annoying
• deplorable
• god-awful
• regrettable
• aggravating
• joyless
• vexing
• lugubrious
• heartbreaking
• exasperating
• lamentable
• disheartening
• dolorous
• perturbing
• dissatisfying
• heartrending
• lachrymose
• disturbing
• forbidding
• maddening
• infuriating
• distressing
• upsetting
• intimidating
• peeving
• enraging
• inflaming
• rankling
• riling
• incensing
• angering
• outraging

4

as in spicy

sharp and pleasantly stimulating to the mind or senses

a savory new book on a subject that seemingly had been done to death

Synonyms & Similar Words

• spicy
• delicious
• piquant
• salty
• pungent
• zesty
• poignant
• exciting
• zingy
• biting
• fascinating
• pert
• flavorful
• peppery
• provocative
• interesting
• vinegary
• delectable
• tasty
• scrumptious
• acute
• appetizing
• hot
• fiery
• intriguing
• racy
• toothsome
• enlightening
• trenchant
• luscious
• energizing
• provoking
• gingery
• ambrosial
• bitter
• palatable
• mordant
• cutting
• keen
• galvanizing
• riveting
• gripping
• engaging
• engrossing
• absorbing
• enthralling
• animating
• invigorating
• arresting
• savorous
• piquing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• insipid
• dry
• flat
• tasteless
• predictable
• boring
• arid
• zestless
• tedious
• flavorless
• banal
• uninteresting
• stale
• monotonous
• colorless
• barren
• pedestrian
• drab
• thin
• dull
• leaden
• ponderous
• weak
• dreary
• stodgy
• humdrum
• wearisome
• bland
• numbing
• savorless
• tiring
• watery
• dilute
• wearying

savory

2 of 2

noun

as in herb

Related Words

• herb
• spice
• seasoning
• condiment
• relish
• flavoring
• sauce

Synonym Chooser

How is the word savory different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of savory are appetizing, palatable, tasty, and toothsome. While all these words mean "agreeable or pleasant especially to the sense of taste," savory applies to both taste and aroma and suggests piquancy and often spiciness.

dumplings with savory fillings

When can appetizing be used instead of savory?

While in some cases nearly identical to savory, appetizing suggests a whetting of the appetite and applies to aroma and appearance as well as taste.

appetizing hors d'oeuvres

When could palatable be used to replace savory?

While the synonyms palatable and savory are close in meaning, palatable often applies to something that is found to be merely agreeable.

butterflies that birds find palatable

In what contexts can tasty take the place of savory?

The words tasty and savory can be used in similar contexts, but tasty implies a pronounced taste.

a tart and tasty pie

Where would toothsome be a reasonable alternative to savory?

The meanings of toothsome and savory largely overlap; however, toothsome stresses the notion of agreeableness and sometimes implies tenderness or daintiness.

an enticing array of toothsome desserts

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of savory

Adjective

There are many savory options and sandwiches, too, for those who are in more of a lunch state of mind—plus the benches out front are some of the best places to perch and people watch the Dimes Square scene. — Kyle Beechey, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Aug. 2026

These mouthwatering short ribs are pan-seared until caramelized and then braised in a savory red wine sauce. — Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Noun

Join the event trackside as top local restaurants and legendary pitmasters fire up the grills to serve a mouth-watering medley of smoky, savory BBQ (available for purchase) alongside a full day of thrilling horse racing. — Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Paired with peppery arugula and briny feta, the charred melon becomes the centerpiece in a salad that balances sweet, salty and savory notes in every bite. — Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026