Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of toothsome are appetizing, palatable, savory, and tasty. While all these words mean "agreeable or pleasant especially to the sense of taste," toothsome stresses the notion of agreeableness and sometimes implies tenderness or daintiness.

an enticing array of toothsome desserts

Where would appetizing be a reasonable alternative to toothsome?

The words appetizing and toothsome can be used in similar contexts, but appetizing suggests a whetting of the appetite and applies to aroma and appearance as well as taste.

appetizing hors d'oeuvres

When can palatable be used instead of toothsome?

While the synonyms palatable and toothsome are close in meaning, palatable often applies to something that is found to be merely agreeable.

butterflies that birds find palatable

When is savory a more appropriate choice than toothsome?

While in some cases nearly identical to toothsome, 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 toothsome?

In some situations, the words tasty and toothsome are roughly equivalent. However, tasty implies a pronounced taste.

a tart and tasty pie

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 toothsome His Sesame Sweet Potato and Cabbage Burger is soft yet toothsome from shredded sweet potatoes and cabbage, and spiced perfectly with a pinch of cayenne, which cuts through the hearty veggies. Ben Mims, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2023 This version was vegetarian (though it’s often punctuated with salted beef or pork), a hearty mix of potatoes, carrots, wilted spinach-esque callaloo and toothsome dumplings. Nevin Martell, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2022 All the prepared bites were quickly claimed, leaving bare a lush display of toothsome raw vegetables. Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2022 The star red of my tasting was the 2019 vintage of this lithe, toothsome Cinsault. Lettie Teague, WSJ, 19 Aug. 2022 For her version of southern Italian anelletti al forno, Rodriguez’s pasta team braids strands of dough by hand into perfect, toothsome rings—all the better looking and for catching tiny bites of escarole and braised pork cheek. Caroline Hatchett, Robb Report, 1 July 2022 Reward yourself with a bowl of polpette (meatballs) smothered in parmesan sauce and passatelli, a toothsome local noodle speciality made from parmesan, breadcrumbs, and egg. Adam H. Graham, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2021 Then indulge in a plat de côtes de boeuf braisés, tender braised short ribs flanked by potato mousse and drizzled with cabernet syrup, or the equally toothsome mushroom and gruyere omelet. Joanna O'Leary, Chron, 14 June 2021 Well, turns out this toothsome leafy green is also pretty good for your face. Garrett Munce, GQ, 2 Mar. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toothsome
Adjective
  • Willem Dafoe as Rat in Fantastic Mr. Fox Willem Dafoe has delicious fun voicing Rat, the sinister security guard who menaces Fox and his cohorts.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 June 2025
  • The Five-Star Weekend centers on Hollis Shaw (Garner), a famed food influencer known for her delicious recipes, impeccable taste, and warm demeanor, who suffers a devastating loss.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 11 June 2025
Adjective
  • What's Going On?' This real estate, right next door to Paramount Studios, wasn’t always so desirable.
    Pat Saperstein, Variety, 13 June 2025
  • The idea of multi-story homes with small footprints is a more desirable approach to density for some people than apartments.
    Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • The beautiful foliage and edible lavender-blue flowers also enhance the beauty of garden beds and containers.
    Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 June 2025
  • Hemp's federal legalization would apply to products such as grains, oil, nuts, fiber and some edible leaves but not cannabinoid products.
    James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • People magazine named him one of the sexiest men that year.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2025
  • And, depending on each event’s everyday price, some of the $25 deals wind up being sexier than others.
    Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • Conners shot 72-74 in the first two rounds and got off to a hot start on Saturday.
    Savannah Leigh Richardson, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
  • During the first and third rounds, Spaun picked up ground against the field with a hot putter, gaining four shots on the greens on Thursday and 2.84 on Saturday.
    Brody Miller, New York Times, 15 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Toothsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toothsome. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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