spice 1 of 2

noun

ˈspīs How to pronounce spice (audio)
Definition of spicenext
1
as in scent
a sweet or pleasant smell a cologne for men that captures all of the spice of the sea

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in flavor
something (as a spice or herb) that adds an agreeable or interesting taste to food Europe in Columbus's time imported rare and valuable spices from the Indies

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3
as in zest
the quality or state of being stimulating to the mind or senses a new hobby will add spice to your life

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

spice

2 of 2

verb

as in to flavor
to make more pleasant to the taste by adding something intensely flavored spice the stew with more pepper

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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 spice
Noun
Steel-frame magnetic systems turn that blank panel into a spice wall, utensil rail or paper towel holder without a single hole in a wall or cabinet. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026 Use it to serve drinks or appetizers when guests come over, or leave it out on a counter to corral oils, spices, and other everyday essentials in a more polished way. — Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
Well, a veteran-laden offense was spiced up by rookie wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling, helping offset Ricky Pearsall’s exit to season-ending knee surgery. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 29 Aug. 2026 More recently, the changes have been to spice up an already successful formula. — William Earl, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spice
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spice
  1. scent
  2. flavor
  3. zest
  4. fragrance
  5. flavoring
  6. piquancy
  7. aroma
  8. tang
Noun
  • These aren’t leather scents (new cars, edgy jackets, saddles), which have been done since 1781, when The House of Creed first made Royal English Leather for King George III.
    — Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
  • With consistent use, our top picks also helped improve the appearance of discoloration, bumps, and uneven tone, while offering a pleasant scent and comfortable wear.
    — Glamour, Glamour, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of scent
Noun
  • There are dozens of flavors of cakes, pies, bars, and cookies to choose from.
    — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The mango passionfruit filling complemented the doughnut’s slightly sweet flavor, while the crème brûlée’s caramelized top added a nice crunch to the pillowy dough.
    — Lia Picard, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of flavor
Noun
  • In a small bowl, combine the Dijon, lemon zest, and softened butter.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The bright loaf cake sings of sunny lemons thanks to the zest as well as juice.
    — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of zest
Noun
  • For years now, hotels have been spending more and more on signature fragrances to woo and hook guests.
    — Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • My mom used to own a boutique in Paris many years ago, which carried a fragrance called Reminiscence.
    — Elektra Kotsoni, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of fragrance
Noun
  • Be mindful of the nutrition label when buying peanut butter or oatmeal and avoid varieties with additives, sugar, and flavorings.
    — Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The base is a Watermelon Lime energy drink, mixed with raspberry flavorings and lemonade.
    — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of flavoring
Noun
  • Those split levels of child and adult consciousness give the film a certain piquancy, a little gap where drama can spark in a story where almost nothing really happens except a kid takes a plane ride, or several plane rides, with his mom.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
  • That Mann himself had written stories on gay themes added to the piquancy of the encounter.
    — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of piquancy
Noun
  • Our wine ages for a full year in French oak, where the wood’s precise porosity allows just the right exchange with oxygen — softening the wine, concentrating its aromas and flavours, building complexity no machine can replicate.
    — Peter Hahn, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The aroma is complemented by hints of bergamot, sage, neroli, and musk, too.
    — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of aroma
Noun
  • The pickled papaya salad on top lends the loveliest bit of sweet tang and a little crunch.
    — Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 9 Sep. 2026
  • When fully deployed, the titanium lockbar moves directly behind the blade tang to establish lockup.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of tang

Browse Nearby Words

sphinxlike
spice
spiced
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Cite this Entry

“Spice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spice. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on spice

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spice

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