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 Kristen Wile of Unpretentious Palate kindly offered me a bite of her toothsome barbacoa entree, wrapped in a collard leaf and served with mayocoba (a creamy, yellow-green canary bean) and a red and green salsa duo. Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026 For pasta, try using whole wheat for its earthy, toothsome quality; any kind will do. Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toothsome
Adjective
  • Ahead, discover our perfect Mother’s Day gifts for every type of mom, including design-forward decor, luxurious linens, delicious fragrances, accents for the outdoors, and even a few last-minute Mother’s Day gift ideas (After all, a gift box goes a long way).
    Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 1 May 2026
  • Their 2022 Pinot Noir has enticing aromas of cherry cola, cinnamon, and red raspberry that lead to delicious flavors of cherry, raspberry, cranberry, and brown baking spices.
    Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 1 May 2026
Adjective
  • Lindell’s lab, funded by MARINER, focused on improving crop yield by selectively breeding kelp with desirable qualities — such as nonreproductive capabilities to prevent interbreeding with wild kelp — so that, down the line, farmers could scale up their kelp production.
    ABC News, ABC News, 6 May 2026
  • For one thing, Cora figures to be in demand and the Phillies, an old team in decline with not much of a farm system, don’t figure to be a particularly desirable destination.
    Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 2 May 2026
Adjective
  • Learn how to craft a small bouquet using an assortment of edible flowers and take them home with you.
    Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 4 May 2026
  • Fill them up with a potting mix intended for edible crops and add some compost or worm castings for extra richness.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 May 2026
Adjective
  • The action has Kemp's signature sexy style and Abbott Elementaryfans will delight in seeing Law take on a much different role.
    Madeleine Janz, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
  • After 10 years of depriving us of their silky, sexy acoustic R&B sounds, only one thing is certain — the number of babies conceived after the show is sure to be off the charts.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Datskovska regularly reports on the season’s hottest accessories and how to acquire them online.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 6 May 2026
  • The signature treatment is the dotsho, or hot stone bath, a ritual locals have practiced for generations to ease joint pain, arthritis, and the toll of long winters spent farming.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Toothsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toothsome. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

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