variants
also hors d'oeuvre
as in bites
a food served in small portions before the main part of a meal
a tray of assorted hors d'oeuvres
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Recent Examples of hors d'oeuvres
Light bites came courtesy of charcuterie stations and passed hors d'oeuvres like sips of tomato gazpacho.
—
Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
There was an open bar with two signature drinks – The Bubbly Rose, which featured blackberry, seltzer and vodka, and a red sangria – hors d'oeuvres and background music from a jazz trio made up of members of the Bluewater Kings Band, who would play the reception.
—Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Both anchovy paste and tomato paste can add depth to dressings, sauces, and pasta dishes; sherry vinegar is ideal for vinaigrettes and glazes; a jar of capers can elevate simple hors d'oeuvres; and chili sambals can bring the heat to eggs, marinades, and stir-fries.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 9 Jan. 2026
Prepare hors d'oeuvres and invite family members over for a rocking New Year's Eve gathering to reflect on the past year — and to set goals for the upcoming year together.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 29 Dec. 2025
Although the invitation stated that hors d'oeuvres will be provided, the Redditor doesn't believe that meets formal wedding expectations.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 11 Dec. 2025
Enjoy live music and hors d'oeuvres along the way.
—Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Dec. 2025
Have each course center on a classic fall produce type, from hors d'oeuvres to the main dish.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2025
For hors d'oeuvres, highlights include tuna carpaccio, French onion soup, steak tartare and the escargot and foie gras parfait that Starr loves.
—Hadley Hitson, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
There was an open bar with two signature drinks – The Bubbly Rose, which featured blackberry, seltzer and vodka, and a red sangria – hors d'oeuvres and background music from a jazz trio made up of members of the Bluewater Kings Band, who would play the reception.
—Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Both anchovy paste and tomato paste can add depth to dressings, sauces, and pasta dishes; sherry vinegar is ideal for vinaigrettes and glazes; a jar of capers can elevate simple hors d'oeuvres; and chili sambals can bring the heat to eggs, marinades, and stir-fries.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 9 Jan. 2026
Prepare hors d'oeuvres and invite family members over for a rocking New Year's Eve gathering to reflect on the past year — and to set goals for the upcoming year together.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 29 Dec. 2025
Although the invitation stated that hors d'oeuvres will be provided, the Redditor doesn't believe that meets formal wedding expectations.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 11 Dec. 2025
Enjoy live music and hors d'oeuvres along the way.
—Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Dec. 2025
Have each course center on a classic fall produce type, from hors d'oeuvres to the main dish.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2025
For hors d'oeuvres, highlights include tuna carpaccio, French onion soup, steak tartare and the escargot and foie gras parfait that Starr loves.
—Hadley Hitson, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hors d'oeuvres
Noun
-
Make sure to slather yourself in as much repellent as possible, and bring anti-itch cream for the inevitable bites.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 May 2026
-
The glass-top table is easy to clean and spacious enough for serving small bites.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
China gets its own cars Euro and American tastes intersect enough that most models will be shared.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
26 May 2026
-
This sweet and salty combination tastes like nostalgia to us.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
Every apartment needs personal touches to keep it from feeling overly staged, and these Quince Shagreen Picture Frames helped add that warmth while still looking incredibly chic.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
25 May 2026
-
Rather than abandoning its roots, the transformation preserved the integrity of the hotel's vision while adding modern touches and amenities to the rooms and suites.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 May 2026
Noun
-
Additionally, the building offers two parking spots.—
Bay Area Home Report,
Mercury News,
27 May 2026
-
Come for sunset, order the signature mai tai, and settle in for one of the best people-watching spots in Waikiki.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hors d'oeuvres.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hors%20d%27oeuvres. Accessed 28 May. 2026.
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