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 Top spots like Tamuraya and Menya Yosuke serve toothsome bowls with rich broths, handmade wontons, and melt-in-your-mouth pork belly. Kim Kay, Travel + Leisure, 14 Sep. 2025 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 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 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toothsome
Adjective
  • The Bitter Mai is also, improbably, absolutely delicious.
    Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Stanway plays in Kelly on the left wing, who delivers a delicious ball for Russo to head home.
    Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The aluminum-creation process begins with bauxite ore, a raw material that contains desirable aluminum-rich minerals but also a host of impurities including silica and iron and titanium oxides.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Cramer said Fed Chair Jerome Powell is prudent, which is a desirable characteristic for those in his position.
    Julie Coleman, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Botanically speaking, pomegranate seeds are arils, edible juice sacs that contain a tiny seed.
    Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 16 Sep. 2025
  • These colorful blooms and edible herbs thrive when the temperature drops.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This time around, fast-fashion brands, like Shein, are making homecoming dresses sexier to attract shoppers who don't want to look like their older sisters.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Meanwhile, a crop of fresh, fun, sexy, and most important, diverse reality dating shows began to eat The Bachelor’s lunch.
    Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • With the debates coming later this month, the campaign water is set to get hotter.
    Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Significantly diseased leaves should be raked and removed from the area and disposed of properly, such as by burying, burning where allowed, or hot composting, according to UW-Madison.
    Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Toothsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toothsome. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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