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
Mornings begin at your own pace with homemade granola and shakshuka before heartier lunches and dinners of chicken tagine, lamb kebabs and roasted eggplant with colourful zesty salads mostly plucked from the on-site vegetable garden.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Feb. 2026
Notes of citrus, white florals, and tropical fruits create a zesty, subtly sweet aroma that's perfect for the balmy months ahead.
—Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 28 Jan. 2026
The cookies contained zesty lemon chips and were covered in powdered sugar.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 16 Jan. 2026
Renowned for its aromatic leaves and zesty fruit, this unique tree not only adds a refreshing burst of flavor and zest to your favorite dishes but also brings a touch of the tropics to your growing space.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for zesty
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Feb. 2026
Notes of citrus, white florals, and tropical fruits create a zesty, subtly sweet aroma that's perfect for the balmy months ahead.
—Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 28 Jan. 2026
The cookies contained zesty lemon chips and were covered in powdered sugar.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 16 Jan. 2026
Renowned for its aromatic leaves and zesty fruit, this unique tree not only adds a refreshing burst of flavor and zest to your favorite dishes but also brings a touch of the tropics to your growing space.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for zesty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zesty
Adjective
-
The Freak from The Girls Deli in North Park is a hot sandwich with salty pastrami, brisket, melted jack cheese, bacon, mustard, spicy sriracha mayo, onions, and jalapeños.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The traditional ingredients of a scampi—garlic, white wine, and butter—meld with the essence of a seafood boil thanks to hot sauce, spicy sausage, and Cajun seasoning.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
These pieces are flavor bombs, imparting salty, piquant, umami goodness into your soup.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The comments section features a piquant blend of solemnity, mortification, tastelessness, and transphobia, which accords with Moreschi’s reception in his lifetime.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Watch summer corn shine in this fresh and flavorful recipe that stars sumac and feta in one delicious recipe.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Spreading almond butter on toast is another delicious way to enjoy this nutrient-dense food.—
Zia Sherrell,
Health,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The white flowers of the alyssums attract pollinators while the pungent scent of the rosemary repels pesky insects to keep them from feeding on the stems or leaves.—
Ashlyn Needham,
The Spruce,
16 Feb. 2026
-
There was a pungent odor in the car.—
David Lyons,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Finish each bowl with a drizzle of olive oil and more fresh dill for a bright, zingy dinner that's ready in less than 30 minutes.—
Martha Stewart,
Martha Stewart,
11 Feb. 2026
-
This year kicked off with an unlikely nail color trend: a zingy, red-tinged orange.—
Annie Blay-Tettey,
Allure,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Serve with salty corn chips to take the dip to new heights.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
-
About half an hour from downtown, the lake itself is one of the Western Hemisphere's largest and saltiest inland bodies of water.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Zesty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zesty. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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