1
2
as in pleasant
giving pleasure or contentment to the mind or senses I always associate the palatable aroma of roasting turkey with Thanksgiving

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of palatable are appetizing, savory, tasty, and toothsome. While all these words mean "agreeable or pleasant especially to the sense of taste," palatable often applies to something that is found to be merely agreeable.

butterflies that birds find palatable

When could appetizing be used to replace palatable?

In some situations, the words appetizing and palatable are roughly equivalent. However, appetizing suggests a whetting of the appetite and applies to aroma and appearance as well as taste.

appetizing hors d'oeuvres

When would savory be a good substitute for palatable?

The meanings of savory and palatable largely overlap; however, savory applies to both taste and aroma and suggests piquancy and often spiciness.

dumplings with savory fillings

When is it sensible to use tasty instead of palatable?

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

a tart and tasty pie

In what contexts can toothsome take the place of palatable?

While the synonyms toothsome and palatable 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 palatable In Nyoni’s terrific compositions, special mention must be made of David Gallego’s crisply evocative cinematography: interiors and exteriors of moonlit, shadowy depth that suggest an eternal night made palatable by pockets of haunting light. Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2025 There’s rumors of a pre-arranged trade here, which could make this more palatable (which turned out to be true). Todd Boss, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025 Work requirements may be the most politically palatable changes Republicans have discussed, but the Catholics pushed back on those as well. Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 28 Feb. 2025 Between the lines: What's been a brewing think-tank fight over Medicaid payments to hospitals and doctors could soon spill onto the main political stage should Republicans decide this is the most politically palatable way to cut the program's spending by hundreds of billions of dollars. Caitlin Owens, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for palatable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for palatable
Adjective
  • The keyboard itself is pleasant enough to type on, with moderate feedback while avoiding the squishy feel some budget systems have.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
  • From the point of view of Paul, Weiss, having to strike this arrangement wasn’t pleasant, but the price was tolerable.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Thanks to its unique design, the Dutch oven’s lid doubles as a 10.25-inch cast-iron skillet that can easily be used to make your favorite cornbread, delicious cobblers, hot dips for parties, and much more.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Indulge in delicious cuisine and beverages, all while immersing yourself in the evening’s thrilling theme.
    Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Ballad Sweatshirt This white crewneck sweatshirt draws your eye right to its tasteful Minnie Mouse graphic.
    Clint Davis, People.com, 18 Mar. 2025
  • The character and tasteful updates over time complement the original home.
    David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The trick up my mom's sleeve: grating the cheese on both the fine and large holes of the cheese grater.
    Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 29 Mar. 2025
  • However, fine wildland fuels such as forest litter and small dead branches remain exceptionally dry.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • That’s changed over the last decade or so, but this 1940s property in Hither Hills is an authentic, and aesthetically pleasing, reminder of its older days.
    Elise Taylor, Vogue, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Soderbergh turns himself into an action director, and MMA fighter Gina Carano turns into an ass-kicking spy in a film that proves that action films can actually be both visceral and visually pleasing.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The flowers themselves are edible, with a bitter pepper flavor, and make good cut flowers.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 21 Mar. 2025
  • For edible products, like gummies, a serving could not contain more than 75mg of delta-7, delta-8, delta-9 or delta-10.
    Lucille Sherman, Axios, 12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Why parents love it: Both the Octonauts series and movie teaches kids about marine biology in a fun, delightful way.
    Anna Earl, Parents, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Nevertheless, his TikTok video was a delightful reminder of the past.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The procedure was performed via minimal access and the result was satisfactory.
    Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
  • His messages online sound all too typical of the brash and bratty computer techies who seem to think insults are satisfactory entertainment for their followers.
    Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Palatable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palatable. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on palatable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!