Synonym Chooser

How is the word appetizing different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of appetizing are palatable, savory, tasty, and toothsome. While all these words mean "agreeable or pleasant especially to the sense of taste," appetizing suggests a whetting of the appetite and applies to aroma and appearance as well as taste.

appetizing hors d'oeuvres

When would palatable be a good substitute for appetizing?

The synonyms palatable and appetizing are sometimes interchangeable, but palatable often applies to something that is found to be merely agreeable.

butterflies that birds find palatable

When is it sensible to use savory instead of appetizing?

The words savory and appetizing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, savory applies to both taste and aroma and suggests piquancy and often spiciness.

dumplings with savory fillings

When could tasty be used to replace appetizing?

The words tasty and appetizing can be used in similar contexts, but tasty implies a pronounced taste.

a tart and tasty pie

Where would toothsome be a reasonable alternative to appetizing?

While the synonyms toothsome and appetizing are close in meaning, toothsome stresses the notion of agreeableness and sometimes implies tenderness or daintiness.

an enticing array of toothsome desserts

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 appetizing This struggle between healthy choices and appetizing options is what led Ross Franklin to found Pure Green. Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025 That might be the more appetizing position for ByteDance and TikTok come next year. Tim Marchman, WIRED, 13 Dec. 2024 Savory Spice Veg Out Spice Set ($29.99) Spices can be the decisive factor in making a nourishing meal appetizing. Anna Haines, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024 Without a kid in tow, trick-or-treating would be creepy, and as delicious as bags of Snickers, M&Ms and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups sound, the gastrointestinal (and orthodontic) aftermath just isn’t as appetizing at this stage. Lyndsay C. Green, Detroit Free Press, 31 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for appetizing

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Cite this Entry

“Appetizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appetizing. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on appetizing

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