Definition of toothsomenext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word toothsome different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of toothsome are appetizing, palatable, savory, and tasty. While all these words mean "agreeable or pleasant especially to the sense of taste," toothsome stresses the notion of agreeableness and sometimes implies tenderness or daintiness.

an enticing array of toothsome desserts

Where would appetizing be a reasonable alternative to toothsome?

The words appetizing and toothsome can be used in similar contexts, but appetizing suggests a whetting of the appetite and applies to aroma and appearance as well as taste.

appetizing hors d'oeuvres

When can palatable be used instead of toothsome?

While the synonyms palatable and toothsome are close in meaning, palatable often applies to something that is found to be merely agreeable.

butterflies that birds find palatable

When is savory a more appropriate choice than toothsome?

While in some cases nearly identical to toothsome, savory applies to both taste and aroma and suggests piquancy and often spiciness.

dumplings with savory fillings

When is it sensible to use tasty instead of toothsome?

In some situations, the words tasty and toothsome are roughly equivalent. However, tasty implies a pronounced taste.

a tart and tasty pie

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 toothsome The coarsely ground beef is toothsome, the nutty toma more complex than standard Swiss cheese and the bread ideally buttered and toasted. Cesar Hernandez, San Francisco Chronicle, 10 Mar. 2026 Our editors were impressed by how these pickles retained a crunchy snap and toothsome texture all the way through—something that is hard to come by with the brining and preservation necessary for a shelf-stable pickle. Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2026 Top spots like Tamuraya and Menya Yosuke serve toothsome bowls with rich broths, handmade wontons, and melt-in-your-mouth pork belly. Kim Kay, Travel + Leisure, 14 Sep. 2025 His Sesame Sweet Potato and Cabbage Burger is soft yet toothsome from shredded sweet potatoes and cabbage, and spiced perfectly with a pinch of cayenne, which cuts through the hearty veggies. Ben Mims, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2023 All the prepared bites were quickly claimed, leaving bare a lush display of toothsome raw vegetables. Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2022 The star red of my tasting was the 2019 vintage of this lithe, toothsome Cinsault. Lettie Teague, WSJ, 19 Aug. 2022 This version was vegetarian (though it’s often punctuated with salted beef or pork), a hearty mix of potatoes, carrots, wilted spinach-esque callaloo and toothsome dumplings. Nevin Martell, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2022 For her version of southern Italian anelletti al forno, Rodriguez’s pasta team braids strands of dough by hand into perfect, toothsome rings—all the better looking and for catching tiny bites of escarole and braised pork cheek. Caroline Hatchett, Robb Report, 1 July 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toothsome
Adjective
  • The parathas, as the savory flatbreads are called, stuffed with onion and paneer and coated with a generous amount of butter, are as delicious as ever.
    Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 11 Apr. 2026
  • This simple combination of strawberries, lemon, basil, and sugar is the key to so many fruit-forward desserts, but the sweet mixture is just as delicious when enjoyed on its own.
    Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Like Stella, Krasner was neither a one-decade painter nor the maker of a handful of desirable canvases from a single decade or two.
    Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Now, Massés fans can look forward to the return of the beloved watering hole, following its closure in February, in a desirable new location in the heart of downtown Walnut Creek.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The nuggets were not the most outrageous item in a lineup that included an edible hot sauce packet and Mountain Dew Baja Blast under-eye pads.
    Fielding Buck, Oc Register, 15 Apr. 2026
  • This salad, complete with edible flowers, is almost too pretty to eat.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • In between glistening, shirtless crunches and sexy dalliances, Crown’s motives become clearer.
    Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
  • The warmth of the film—shot on location in Positano, Italy—only adds to its creeping, sexy menace.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Be aware that certain towns and counties may implement burn bans due to the tinder-dry and hot weather conditions.
    Steven Sosna, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
  • The Cubs need more than just Hoerner’s hot hitting to get rolling collectively as an offensive unit.
    Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Toothsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toothsome. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.

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