savory 1 of 2

variants also savoury
Definition of savorynext
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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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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savory

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noun

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

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 savory
Adjective
Try black beans in soups, chilis, and rice dishes, and use them to make savory dips for veggies and chips. Jillian Kubala, Health, 22 June 2026 It's fermented, and the natural sugars are released, revealing a liquid that tastes nothing like coconut but rather perfectly savory. Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 June 2026
Noun
For local flavors, order the incredibly savory ackee and saltfish egg scramble. Chadner Navarro, Travel + Leisure, 29 June 2026 Choose from three boxed collections including delicious goodies like savory Chicken Pot Pie, Apple Pie, Strawberry Pie, Buttermilk Pie, French Coconut Pie and more. ABC News, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for savory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for savory
Adjective
  • Grenache and Cinsault offer suppleness and aromatic lift when handled with restraint, while Mourvèdre provides structure without excessive sweetness when grown at altitude.
    Paul Caputo, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
  • This limited-time sparkling beverage is made with grapefruit, cranberry, and orange juices from concentrate, plus some aromatic bitter flavors and a touch of cane sugar to give it a mocktail feel that's better than soda and more interesting than simple fruit juice.
    Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • Cherry trees showcase beautiful blooms in the spring and produce delicious fruit in late spring and early summer.
    SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 27 June 2026
  • The spinach and feta pastry was delicious, salty enough from the cheese filling and not too heavy.
    Eva Flowe June 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • The result is one of the most diverse wine regions in the world—one where sparkling wines, crisp coastal whites, elegant reds and historic sweet wines can all coexist within the same broader region.
    Emily Cappiello, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
  • The sweet treats probably added to the general sense of optimism and excitement for the marketing, advertising, data and technology leaders who came to talk shop and compare notes at a time of massive transformation in virtually every business sector.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • Wild Arugula While standard arugula may be part of many reasonably priced salad mixes, the deliciously spicy, dainty wild arugula fetches premium prices of $4 to $6 for a 5-ounce bunch.
    Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 29 June 2026
  • Modales leans into cold-hardy grapes varieties like blaufränkisch, the spicy Austrian red variety that has become a favorite by-the-glass pour at Ox Bar.
    Anna Lee Iijima, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026
Noun
  • Customization options include swapping sour cream for Greek yogurt and adding garnishes like bacon or herbs.
    Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2026
  • Optional activities include medicinal herb hikes, where guests can learn about local medicinal plants, and visits to a Kneipp facility in the midst of the forest.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • There are fragrant flowers, rose bushes in the backyard of the private villas, rows of lavender alongside the streets, plus cypress, figs, pines and more.
    Katie Sweeney, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Kaffir lime, bumpy and bitter-tasting fruit of the species Citrus hystrix, known for its fragrant leaves.
    Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • Perhaps because of this aesthetic of illusions, the earnest state pride evident in some of the pavilions turns out to feel especially delightful.
    Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026
  • Her nuanced portrayal gives the girl many layers, including a delightful determination.
    Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • When prepared with skill, shrimp can be tender and sweet, perfect for dipping in tangy, piquant cocktail sauce.
    Kate Williams, AJC.com, 22 June 2026
  • The piquant dish is lacquered with strawberry-guajillo barbecue sauce, while a punchy coleslaw with Fresno chile vinaigrette rounds things out.
    Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 1 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Savory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/savory. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.

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