zesty

adjective

ˈze-stē How to pronounce zesty (audio)
Definition of zestynext
as in spicy
sharp and pleasantly stimulating to the mind or senses bland pasta that needs a zesty sauce

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 zesty Made with a base of sparkling wine and zesty Valencia orange juice, this effervescent wine is bright, dry, and refreshing. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 25 June 2026 Baking bread with a zesty hint of lemon peel intermixed with complex notes of chamomile and candied violets. — Cathrine Todd, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 With its golden crust, creamy filling, and zesty lime finish, the treat offers endless inspiration for your next manicure. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 24 June 2026 Last summer, Gigi Hadid styled a zesty citrus pair with a playful mini dress, while Dakota Johnson wore a pair while vacationing in Ibiza with Kate Hudson. — Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for zesty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zesty
  1. spicy
  2. piquant
  3. delicious
  4. pungent
  5. zingy
  6. salty
Adjective
  • Her food receives high praise, but a couple days later, one of her friend’s employees dies, possibly from an overdose of an extremely spicy hot sauce.
    — Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026
  • End your meal in true New Orleans fashion with a cup of café brûlot, a spicy, alcoholic beverage that is — whoosh!
    — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 20 July 2026
Definition of spicy
Adjective
  • Placebo, loukoumi, kouglof, toda raba, Sharapova, tempura, cacao, platypus, shrub, castagnette, potato salada, potage piquant pékinois.
    — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
  • When prepared with skill, shrimp can be tender and sweet, perfect for dipping in tangy, piquant cocktail sauce.
    — Kate Williams, AJC.com, 22 June 2026
Definition of piquant
Adjective
  • The Five Star Weekend follows Jennifer Garner as Hollis Shaw, a famed cook and best-selling author known for her delicious recipes, impeccable taste, and warm demeanor, who suffers a devastating loss.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 17 July 2026
  • Trolly Stop in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, is a local legend known for its juicy and delicious hot dogs.
    — Katie Riley, Southern Living, 17 July 2026
Definition of delicious
Adjective
  • Separate bowls are suggested if wanting to ferment more pungent foods.
    — Shirl Leigh July 16, New Atlas, 17 July 2026
  • These compounds have a strong, pungent odor that many insects, including grubs, find repulsive.
    — SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 11 July 2026
Definition of pungent
Adjective
  • The surprising combination of pasta, pepperoni slices, olives, and bell peppers dressed in a zingy Italian vinaigrette.
    — Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 2 July 2026
  • Brands even sell pickle juice on its own, pickle-free, for use in salty, zingy cocktails or refreshing probiotic supplements.
    — Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
Definition of zingy
Adjective
  • In 2022, northern Italy’s most severe drought in two centuries allowed salty seawater to push upstream into the Po River, creating a favorable environment for female blue crabs to reproduce and for their eggs to develop, Costa said.
    — Kasha Patel, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • One Gamine fragrance, Heroic Dose, opens with fresh cypress, blue hemp, and salty marine air, but underneath lies an earthy, gritty complexity brought in by cumin and vetiver bourbon.
    — Parizaad Khan Sethi, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 July 2026
Definition of salty

Browse Nearby Words

zestless
zesty
zig
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Zesty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zesty. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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