savory 1 of 2

variants also savoury
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as in satisfying
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
The first course is a traditional croissant, just a few minutes out of the oven, then on to a savory, with menus rotating seasonally. Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 19 Dec. 2024 Enjoy an assortment of sweets, scones, savories, and petit fours alongside seasonal Churchill’s Tea selections and live holiday music. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 24 Nov. 2024
Noun
The savory menu is just as good: Aloha diner food at the top end of the quality scale. The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 June 2025 Gluten-free pastries, hearty frittatas, and savory sandwiches will help fuel your day. AFAR Media, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for savory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for savory
Adjective
  • The wine is expressive and aromatic on the nose, featuring aromas of black cherry, rose petal, and baking spice.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • With gray-green foliage and aromatic blooms that cover plants on and off from early summer to fall, catmint makes a perfect filler for any style of garden.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 19 June 2025
Adjective
  • Roasting them low and slow in a preheated oven, or cooking them slowly in a slow cooker, smoker, or sous vide before finishing on the grill or under the broiler, can all yield tender, delicious results.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 23 June 2025
  • Coupled with a healthy diet and lifestyle, these delicious drinks can keep your gut happy, balanced, and thriving.
    Lauren Manaker MS, Health, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • Want to make your smoothies more satisfying and nutritious?
    Jillian Kubala, Health, 24 June 2025
  • There’s a satisfying constriction in these which feels immersive to me as a reader, and as a writer affords the space to fixate on minutia that might not be appropriate in something more expansive.
    Jane Ciabattari June 24, Literary Hub, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool across seven days from the end of November looks particularly spicy.
    Beren Cross, New York Times, 18 June 2025
  • The health benefits of spicy food could not have been further from my mind.
    Matt Fuchs, Time, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • The calypso music shouted now from an imitation rock in the herb garden.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 June 2025
  • These postnatal vitamins contain vitamins and herbs, such as fenugreek and brewer’s yeast, that help promote lactation.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • The wine is a pale yellow, featuring a fragrant nose of pear, white peach, and mountain herbs.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • Tarragon adds a fragrant note and a bit of complexity to an otherwise fairly straightforward dish.
    The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • Prioritize window placement early by considering exterior style, symmetry, and scale to ensure the facade feels balanced and visually pleasing.
    Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin, Southern Living, 25 June 2025
  • The Google Photos web interface is clean, minimalist, and pleasing.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • My favorite dish here was a piquant ceviche served with tortilla chips.
    Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2025
  • And to think, this pitiless conquistador came to North America as a humble kitchen herb, deliberately imported by European settlers for its piquant flavor.
    Zoë Lescaze, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Savory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/savory. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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