as in spicy
sharp and pleasantly stimulating to the mind or senses
bland pasta that needs a zesty sauce
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of zesty
Combine yogurt, oil, garlic, lemon, mustard, and a touch of honey for a zesty, creamy dressing.
—
Lauren O'Connor, Health, 12 Mar. 2026
Create an impressive stack of zesty lemon layers that's perfect for any casual gathering.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
There’s also a Caramel Espresso Martini and an elixir called Fluffy Dreams (gin, zesty syrup, lemon juice, aquafaba, Luxardo Apricot Liqueur, elderflower, citrus bitters).
—Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
In its place: lighter, brighter greens that feel crisp and optimistic, from soft mint and zesty lime to classic Kelly.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for zesty
Lauren O'Connor, Health, 12 Mar. 2026
Create an impressive stack of zesty lemon layers that's perfect for any casual gathering.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
There’s also a Caramel Espresso Martini and an elixir called Fluffy Dreams (gin, zesty syrup, lemon juice, aquafaba, Luxardo Apricot Liqueur, elderflower, citrus bitters).
—Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
In its place: lighter, brighter greens that feel crisp and optimistic, from soft mint and zesty lime to classic Kelly.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for zesty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zesty
Adjective
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Then there’s upscale Mexican restaurant El Molino, with its spicy twist on local Baja California cuisine, and Farina e Olio, an oceanfront Italian trattoria serving melt-in-your-mouth ravioli and life-altering desserts.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
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The red king, which is a spicy version of their pork broth ramen, was worth the years of anticipation.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Conductors often fetishize the opening bars of this opera, their squirmy alternation of silence and piquant dissonance.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
11 Mar. 2026
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Red cabbage, carrots and Tuscan kale form the base, bound together with a piquant balsamic-Dijon vinaigrette.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Pork rib pieces are the savory meat that makes this chili so delicious.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
4 Apr. 2026
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Each dinner is a lovely multicourse affair with good conversation and delicious food, the result of great effort, care and expense on the part of the hosts.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The classroom was very hot and had a foul odor, a thick, pungent coal smell that we had been told to associate with freedom.—
Alexandra Petri,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
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From the sweet and pungent Cipolla Rossa di Tropea festival in Ricadi to chestnut fairs in the mountains, these gatherings are a lively, delicious way to connect with the region’s culture and flavors.—
Jenna Curcio,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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This zingy and creamy lemon trifle resembles lemon meringue pie but is so much easier to make.—
Martha Stewart,
Martha Stewart,
15 Mar. 2026
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Chanel, brooch, $4,100 This cotton and silk flower brooch from Chanel’s spring/summer 2026 collection by Matthieu Blazy carries the kind of zingy energy powerful enough to make winter feel like a distant memory.—
Julissa James,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Lufthansa also commissioned a study conducted by Germany's Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics, which found the combination of dryness and low pressure also reduces the sensitivity of taste buds for both sweet and salty by up to 30 percent.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Apr. 2026
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Temporary morning puffiness, swelling after a salty meal or a rounder face with no other symptoms are probably not cause for concern.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Zesty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zesty. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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