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

Relevance

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 Tangy pepperoncinis and zesty ranch dressing mix come together to add layers of flavor to bone-in pork chops. — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 18 July 2026 The daily rotating menu draws from various stops along the route; that night, I was served a zesty octopus, caught in Perth and paired with chimichurri and saltbush, an herb native to arid interior plains like the ones surrounding Kalgoorlie. — Justin Meneguzzi, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026 Available in black, white, olive green, and a zesty chartreuse hue with subtle floral stitching, the tote is an ideal companion for work commutes, travel days, beach outings, and even as a diaper bag alternative. — Better Homes & Gardens, 26 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 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
  • Tender cuts of meat, spicy cucumber salads, and lobster mac and cheese are rich but not overpowering, satisfying but not overly filling, and beautifully presented.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Such a scent—defined by its brightness, as well as its signature woody and spicy character—is comprised of fresh ginger and cedar notes with the smokiness of vetiver and the roundness of tonka beans.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 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
  • Fresh corn is a summertime staple, and there are plenty of delicious ways to put it to good use.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The food in the modernist dining hall is delicious, but sparse.
    — Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of delicious
Adjective
  • And since management changed a decade ago, Ortega, 59, said pungent smells on days the plant operates have prevented him from going outside or opening the windows.
    — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
  • This scientific understanding is enabling cultivators to engineer diverse, less pungent strains and driving innovation in discreet, low-odor products like edibles and vapes.
    — Peter Su, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of pungent
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, an electric color palette of zingy greens, bold reds, and Prussian blues–touched off with plenty of black accents–amplifies the property’s wildly original juxtaposition of antiquity and modernity.
    — Alexandra Kirkman, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • That texture was complemented by balanced sweetness and acidity and a zingy punch of garlic.
    — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of zingy
Adjective
  • The fresh, salty cheese is quintessential to Greek cuisine, and is served in everything from salads to phyllo dough pies from the city of Athens to the islands of the Cyclades.
    — Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026
  • In front, Palo Alto 30-somethings bob in the waves on their surfboards, cheered on by their WASPy spouses clad in linen tunics, who keep half an eye on their salty-haired offspring hunting for seashells on the beach.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Aug. 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 21 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of rigmarole

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All