APPETIZING Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

appetizing

adjective

ˈa-pə-ˌtī-ziŋ

Definition of appetizing next

as in delicious

very pleasing to the sense of taste that dish looks very appetizing

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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 Equally appetizing, but on a more intimate scale. —

Kathryn O'Shea-Evans, Architectural Digest, 16 Apr. 2026 An avocado that’s brown due to bruising or a long time in the refrigerator may be less appetizing due to its mushy texture and funky flavor resulting from a significant amount of oxidation. —

Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026 Chicken McNuggets have rarely sounded more appetizing, more familiar and reassuring. —

Literary Hub, 19 Mar. 2026 There are many places in this city that real estate developers have found more appetizing. —

Xuan Juliana Wang, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for appetizing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for appetizing

Adjective

The judge ordered that the child be called Ella instead, noting that the name Nutella was the trade name of a (frankly, delicious) spread.

— Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
Guilty pleasures are one thing, but utterly delicious bits of television are something else entirely.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 May 2026

Definition of delicious

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appetizers

appetizing

appetizingly

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“Appetizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appetizing. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of appetizing

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