SAVOURY Synonyms: 292 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

savory 1 of 2

adjective

ˈsā-və-rē

variants also savoury

Definition of savory

as in aromatic

having a pleasant smell cedar is one of the most savory of all woods

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in delicious

very pleasing to the sense of taste a savory beef stew that really hit the spot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

savory

2 of 2

noun

as in herb

Related Words

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

Specifically, this is jiángxiāng baijiu, a designation referring to its particular aroma and flavor, which is said to be very savory. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 29 June 2026 My entire life was spent eating savory breakfasts (bring on the eggs, bacon, and hash browns), but at some point, my kids asked for waffles. — Melissa Knific, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 June 2026

Noun

In this part of the state, your priority should be to find and eat pasties, savory hand pies that were brought to this part of the country by Cornish miners. — Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2026 Blend equal parts of Trader Joe’s Buffalo Ranch Popcorn and Hot Honey Popcorn for a sweet, spicy, and savory mix. — Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 18 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for savory

Recent Examples of Synonyms for savory

Adjective

Famous for their aromatic leaves and fast growth rates, mints of all sorts naturally repel an assortment of garden pests and keep ants away, too1.

— Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2026
The beloved seasonal flavor perfectly balances aromatic lemon cake with a punchy raspberry puree.

— Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 14 July 2026

Definition of aromatic

Adjective

The Five Star Weekend follows Jennifer Garner as Hollis Shaw, a famed cook and best-selling author known for her delicious recipes, impeccable taste, and warm demeanor, who suffers a devastating loss.

— Katie Campione, Deadline, 17 July 2026
Trolly Stop in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, is a local legend known for its juicy and delicious hot dogs.

— Katie Riley, Southern Living, 17 July 2026

Definition of delicious

Adjective

Challah, the eggy bread beloved for its fluffy texture and slightly sweet flavor, has introduced her to new food combinations, bakeries, friends and Weidenfeld’s extended family.

— Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 18 July 2026
Blend equal parts of Trader Joe’s Buffalo Ranch Popcorn and Hot Honey Popcorn for a sweet, spicy, and savory mix.

— Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 18 July 2026

Definition of sweet

Adjective

Her food receives high praise, but a couple days later, one of her friend’s employees dies, possibly from an overdose of an extremely spicy hot sauce.

— Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026
End your meal in true New Orleans fashion with a cup of café brûlot, a spicy, alcoholic beverage that is — whoosh!

— Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 20 July 2026

Definition of spicy

Adjective

The wings are savory, fragrant, and mildly spicy, with a subtle numbing sensation from the peppercorns that adds depth without overpowering the dish.

— Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
At the farm Kahn described the skin-nourishing benefits of that day’s harvest of incredibly fragrant roses, citronella geranium leaves and lemon verbena, as well as the distillation process.

— Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 July 2026

Definition of fragrant

Adjective

Coffee is also grown on the estate, but tea tastings are particularly delightful, with black, green, oolong and white varieties to sample, some of which are served at Claridge’s.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 19 July 2026
Not only that, but the vibe in the lounge is quiet, with other guests reading or playing board games; evenings bring in a piano player in for delightful ambient music.

— Susan B. Barnes, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 July 2026

Definition of delightful

Adjective

Placebo, loukoumi, kouglof, toda raba, Sharapova, tempura, cacao, platypus, shrub, castagnette, potato salada, potage piquant pékinois.

— Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
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

Definition of piquant

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savors

savory

savvied

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“Savory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/savory. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of savory

adjective

noun

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