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
This sourdough bakes warming spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger right into a pumpkin loaf. — Danielle Bouchard, Martha Stewart, 3 Sep. 2026 Raisins and orange juice provide some sweet relief from the spice while adding acid and tang. — Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
The cobbler is spiced with the cinnamon and nutmeg flavors missing in food-service cobblers, and the peaches still have snap. — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Aug. 2026 Glazed baby back ribs, satisfyingly sticky and spiced with gochujang, come smothered with melting mozzarella for crazy long cheese pulls on Chicago-style, falling-off-the-bone pork. — Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 18 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
  • The scent of burning copal filled the air on a recent Monday night as Nury Ortega placed a headdress of long, colorful feathers on her head.
    — Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Its rich, satisfying lather has a light citrus scent to make wash days feel just a little more elevated.
    — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of scent
Noun
  • Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup No need to drive to Panera, this recipe brings the cozy, familiar flavors of the chain’s beloved broccoli and cheddar soup home.
    — Lizzy Briskin, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Cheeses made with moist milk mature faster and can develop unpleasantly pungent odors and flavors like ammonia.
    — Vivian Song, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of flavor
Noun
  • Blending grapefruit zest, pear, cassis and sandalwood, this mist from Tocca offers a lightweight but lifting spritz.
    — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026
  • In a small bowl, stir together the lemon zest, sumac, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper and cinnamon.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of zest
Noun
  • Just like smelling a particular fragrance can bring back a memory faster than any other sense, a Taylor Swift song strikes an immediate, familiar chord.
    — Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The key may be to open a few windows, find low-fragrance cleaning agents, and get used to your home’s natural scents.
    — Mike McRae September 03, New Atlas, 4 Sep. 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
  • The Midcentury Modern library where Rosales first inhaled the aroma of old books has changed.
    — Myriam Gurba, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Inside, the aroma of maple wood erupts as a knife's handle is put through its band saw paces.
    — Clare Coulson, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 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 14 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on spice

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spice

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