as in spicy
sharp and pleasantly stimulating to the mind or senses
bland pasta that needs a zesty sauce
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of zesty
The opening hits you with a beautiful mandarin that feels fresh and zesty, paired with the sweetest marshmallow accord that somehow manages to feel both powdery and fluffy at the same time.
—
Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 5 Sep. 2025
The former is served in a pool in a zesty salsa verde.
—Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Sep. 2025
The chicken used here is shredded and has a good kick of spice, though, and that’s offset by a smooth cheese sauce, pico de gallo and a zesty lime crema sauce.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 22 Aug. 2025
The Ghost Pepper rub brings fiery Louisiana spices with ghost pepper heat, while Lemon Pepper offers a zesty, citrusy twist.
—Moná Thomas, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for zesty
Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 5 Sep. 2025
The former is served in a pool in a zesty salsa verde.
—Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Sep. 2025
The chicken used here is shredded and has a good kick of spice, though, and that’s offset by a smooth cheese sauce, pico de gallo and a zesty lime crema sauce.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 22 Aug. 2025
The Ghost Pepper rub brings fiery Louisiana spices with ghost pepper heat, while Lemon Pepper offers a zesty, citrusy twist.
—Moná Thomas, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for zesty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zesty
Adjective
-
The staff is brisk, used to locals ordering with a shorthand as precise as Philly cheesesteak lingo, and the souvlaki itself is unlike anywhere else in Athens—simple, spicy, smoky, and closer to kebab than the standard style.—
Katherine Whittaker,
Saveur,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Evans asked him to detail why, but Doncic, who was suffering from the heat of the spicy wings, just repeated the song’s title.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The tequila daisy cocktail, served in a clay cantarito cup smudged with sumac salt, is piquant with ancho verde, mellowed with summer strawberry.—
Rachel Bernhard,
jsonline.com,
29 Aug. 2025
-
His piquant style of writing in the unfinished tell-all feels like dropping into a gossip circle in the most glamorous (and cutting) powder room on the planet.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The world is full of delicious Negroni variations, but few and far between are the ones that work as harmoniously as this.—
Jason O'Bryan,
Robb Report,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Meaty, creamy and simply delicious!—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The pungent smell of weed pervaded the arena as YoungBoy performed an eclectic set, showcasing the breadth of songs in his catalog.—
Jayson Buford,
Rolling Stone,
30 Sep. 2025
-
By definition, herbs are the pungent leafy portions of certain plants, while spices are derived from seeds, fruits, flowers, or roots.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Ginger apple rye scones from Poppy Bakery Made with apple chunks, fresh ginger, crystallized ginger and locally sourced Meadowlark Organics Flour, these scones will give you the perfect zingy sweetness that embodies the feeling of a crisp fall day.—
Angelika Ytuarte,
jsonline.com,
1 Oct. 2025
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Her spring collection offered flowing plissé strapless or cape-like frocks in a variety of zingy colors, from lime green and lilac to fiery red and bubblegum pink.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Parmesan Cheese Parmesan is a hard, salty cheese that's a great source of calcium.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Cheddar melts into the mix for creamy richness, and the bacon wrapping crisps up for a salty, savory crust.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Zesty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zesty. Accessed 11 Oct. 2025.
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