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 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
For those seeking out big adventures, zesty romps in nature that will test your mettle, look no further than Eleven’s hut-to-hut multi-day hiking journey.
—Wendy Altschuler, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Pink Lemonade offers a bright, zesty burst of sweet-tangy lemon with a hint of berry bliss, while Dragonfruit Lime brings a tropical twist with citrusy lime and exotic fruit notes, both crisp, vibrant and made to energize your day.
—Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for zesty
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
For those seeking out big adventures, zesty romps in nature that will test your mettle, look no further than Eleven’s hut-to-hut multi-day hiking journey.
—Wendy Altschuler, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Pink Lemonade offers a bright, zesty burst of sweet-tangy lemon with a hint of berry bliss, while Dragonfruit Lime brings a tropical twist with citrusy lime and exotic fruit notes, both crisp, vibrant and made to energize your day.
—Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for zesty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zesty
Adjective
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For a little bit of spicy kick, make the pimiento cheese with pepper Jack instead of Cheddar.—
Ann Taylor Pittman,
Southern Living,
12 Sep. 2025
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The star, of course, is ginger root oil—its warm, spicy aroma is blended with cardamom, clove, and coriander, plus a hit of citrus oils (lime, orange, bergamot, grapefruit) and eucalyptus for an energizing, feel-good scent.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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The Bitter Mai is also, improbably, absolutely delicious.—
Jason O'Bryan,
Robb Report,
13 Sep. 2025
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Stanway plays in Kelly on the left wing, who delivers a delicious ball for Russo to head home.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Once these yellow, red, orange, or cream blooms appear, squirrels will leave them alone due to their strong, pungent odor.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
4 Sep. 2025
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Swift kept experimenting to make her music more pungent, more extreme, even more her.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This recipe has everything a great breakfast taco needs: warm fluffy eggs, smoky bits of bacon, and bright zingy salsas.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
24 Aug. 2025
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Pallini Limoncello is zingy and just sweet enough to create an exciting flavor profile of a spritz riff.—
Lanee Lee,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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That is particularly true for organisms that live in very unusual settings like deep sea heat vents or in extremely salty water or soils.—
Steven Savage,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Rodgers, still salty about how his two-year tenure ended in New York after he was told by new coach Aaron Glenn in February that the team was moving on, was excellent in his Pittsburgh debut.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Zesty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zesty. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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