as in epicurean
a person with refined tastes in food and wine food critics have to be gourmets in order to write about food in an informed way

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the noun gourmet contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of gourmet are epicure, gastronome, and gourmand. While all these words mean "one who takes pleasure in eating and drinking," gourmet implies being a connoisseur in food and drink and the discriminating enjoyment of them.

When would epicure be a good substitute for gourmet?

Although the words epicure and gourmet have much in common, epicure implies fastidiousness and voluptuousness of taste.

When is it sensible to use gastronome instead of gourmet?

The words gastronome and gourmet can be used in similar contexts, but gastronome implies that one has studied extensively the history and rituals of haute cuisine.

When is gourmand a more appropriate choice than gourmet?

In some situations, the words gourmand and gourmet are roughly equivalent. However, gourmand implies a hearty appetite for good food and drink, not without discernment, but with less than a gourmet's.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gourmet
Noun
  • Ever since, keen epicures had been ardently awaiting his next move.
    Sarah Khan, Bon Appétit, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Biggest Fear: Pain of their own insecurity, uncertainty. Type 7: The Enthusiast/Epicure The enthusiast/epicure looks to explore all the wonders of life and are always on the hunt for new experiences and adventures.
    Stephanie Sengwe, Peoplemag, 25 Apr. 2024
Noun
  • The hour-long experience—set to debut in Tokyo this spring—has been well received by curious gastronomes and tech enthusiasts alike craving the next big thing.
    Kristin Tablang, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
  • After last year’s somewhat disappointing gala, restaurateurs and gastronomes hoped that 2025 would see some more dramatic accolades.
    Ann Abel, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Unlike the always retiring Edward, however, Oswald is a bon vivant comfortable in his own skin — a great dancer, a karaoke master, and a ladies’ man.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Recently, Kim Hastreiter—artist, curator, co-founder of Paper magazine, and legendary downtown bon vivant—was having one of her parties.
    Ariel Levy, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The marshmallow and orange blossom notes in Love create an addictive gourmand effect when combined with KURKY’s peach and raspberry.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Beyond comforting vanilla and feel-good marshmallows, there’s a new delectable gourmand capturing the hearts of revered perfumers everywhere: nuts.
    Venus Wong, Refinery29, 1 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • This recipe, which Melissa Clark adapted from the molecular gastronomist Hervé This, forgoes the cream, eggs and hand mixers required by many mousses, prioritizing chocolate and chocolate alone.
    New York Times, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2022
  • One of the first diets was introduced in the 1840s by a Presbyterian minister named Sylvester Graham, historic gastronomist Sarah Lohman told Live Science.
    Fiza Pirani, ajc, 10 July 2018
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Gourmet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gourmet. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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