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 palate is zesty and incisive, with passion fruit, citrus, green apple, and green herbal notes.
—
Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2026
The almond shape is the epitome of sophistication, while the zesty designs bring out the whimsy.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026
This heat-and-eat entrée contains two savory, mildly spicy poblano pepper halves that are stuffed with a zesty, flavorful mix of soft brown rice, corn kernels, and hearty white chicken meat.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 6 Apr. 2026
Dressings: Whisk grated ginger and pressed garlic into olive oil, soy sauce, and lime juice for a zesty salad dressing or marinade.
—Lauren Manaker, SELF, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for zesty
Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2026
The almond shape is the epitome of sophistication, while the zesty designs bring out the whimsy.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026
This heat-and-eat entrée contains two savory, mildly spicy poblano pepper halves that are stuffed with a zesty, flavorful mix of soft brown rice, corn kernels, and hearty white chicken meat.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 6 Apr. 2026
Dressings: Whisk grated ginger and pressed garlic into olive oil, soy sauce, and lime juice for a zesty salad dressing or marinade.
—Lauren Manaker, SELF, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for zesty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zesty
Adjective
-
The company makes pickles in flavors such as hot, half-sour and sweet and spicy.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
It’s finished in a spicy-sweet sauce that would make a rubber tire taste good.—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Conductors often fetishize the opening bars of this opera, their squirmy alternation of silence and piquant dissonance.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Red cabbage, carrots and Tuscan kale form the base, bound together with a piquant balsamic-Dijon vinaigrette.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Take care not to overmix; keeping some larger pieces of tuna in the mix ensures a more satisfying texture, rather than something closer to tuna salad (delicious, just not the goal here).—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 May 2026
-
Le Petit Paris Counter-service breakfast and lunch orders get the French touch at this delicious bakery and cafe in an Atlantic Beach strip mall.—
Terry Ward,
Travel + Leisure,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
Wormwood Like rue, wormwood is another medicinal herb that’s typically grown as an ornamental these days and enjoyed for its delightfully pungent aroma.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
10 May 2026
-
Those bright, vibrant blooms in shades of yellow, orange, and red also repel flies and other insects thanks to their pungent odors.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
Crispy tofu and roasted veggies get a slathering of zingy Sriracha-peanut sauce in this recipe.—
Hannah Agran,
Midwest Living,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Tangy layers of lemon pudding and cream cheese make this Lemon Lush a delightfully zingy treat.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Everyone in my family is a fan of bread studded with salty briny olives, and this recipe takes that craving a step further, said Joe Woodhouse.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
9 May 2026
-
At Le Mura in Tropea, savor a pizza with a side of views, or hit Delizie Vaticane for picnic essentials like cheese, salumi, and mousse di cipolla (a salty-sweet spread made of the regional onion) to nosh on at Spiaggia della Contura, the town's less-crowded beach.—
Lee Marshall,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Zesty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zesty. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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