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 The orange bitters add a dry and zesty citrus character, and the Bénédictine brings a late-palate honeyed complexity that is warmed with baking spices. — Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026 The Omen 16 is a capable mid-range machine with a zesty 16-inch WQXGA screen that blasts through top titles with a 240Hz refresh rate. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026 Specific menu items include the Italian sausage, egg and Cooper’s sharp cheese sandwich; biscuits and gravy; and chorizo breakfast burrito with eggs, potatoes, onions, cheese and zesty red pepper relish. — Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2026 Orange-Honey Sweet Rolls Sweetened with honey and zesty with orange, these hearty rolls make a great alternative to the traditional breakfast cinnamon roll. — Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 16 Sep. 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
  • The first spirit asks for a spicy home brew under the floorboards.
    — Alice Burton, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The evening begins with an actually spicy pani puri mezcalita and masala popcorn.
    — Mehr Singh, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of spicy
Adjective
  • Sipping on the watermelon, calamansi, ginger agua fresca was just the right pairing with my boldly piquant dinner.
    — The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Placebo, loukoumi, kouglof, toda raba, Sharapova, tempura, cacao, platypus, shrub, castagnette, potato salada, potage piquant pékinois.
    — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
Definition of piquant
Adjective
  • Overall, Huong Sen Tofu is a lively hole in the wall that seems to commit itself to serving delicious food and helping patrons bring those flavors home.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Even Jack’s new invention, the electric mixer, couldn’t whip up a more delicious start.
    — Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of delicious
Adjective
  • Sapp Coffee Shop is arguably less famous than Jitlada, though cherished by generations of Angelenos for a late-morning breakfast of boat noodles, frankly pungent and biting back with meaty, crunchy textures.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
  • In other research, analyses of molecules emitted from melanoma biopsy samples suggested that compounds such as the pungent chemical called 4-methyl decane could serve as a biomarker.
    — Marta Zaraaska, Washington Post, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of pungent
Adjective
  • Be sure to order a side of the crispy potatoes and the zingy herb salad.
    — Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 4 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of zingy
Adjective
  • The balance of salty, sweet, spicy, and acidic is highly addictive.
    — Olivia Tarantino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Nov. 2026
  • This is where executives plot and plan and spin their offseason narratives to the media while dealing with agents and each other in hotel suites stocked with liquor and salty snacks.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of salty

Browse Nearby Words

zestless
zesty
zig
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Cite this Entry

“Zesty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zesty. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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