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

Examples 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
  • Instead of Black life maimed, denuded of dignity, and degraded, each portrait that makes up I, Narcissus is a study of delicious glamour.
    Essence, Essence, 5 Nov. 2024
  • The gingersnap crust is delicious as well, and much easier than working with pastry.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Research has also shown that desirable low-stress rat environments retune their brains’ reward circuits, such as the nucleus accumbens.
    Kelly Lambert, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024
  • Unemployment dipped to its lowest level in 54 years in 2023 and stayed within a desirable range.
    Vox Staff, Vox, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Some of the edible dioramas are larger than a television set.
    Jennifer Maas, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Instead, at the Vineyard Farmers Market, Raines sells trays of microgreens, edible seedlings of herbs and veggies, eaten raw in salads or on sandwiches.
    Terry Collins, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Another year where society isn’t brave enough to make the correct choice — give Colbert the sexiest man award, dammit!
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
  • Only Joan knows for sure — and she’s come dressed as the world’s sexiest senior executioner.
    Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 17 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Residents were also instructed to clean and scrub any containers with hot soapy water or bleach to remove any Aedes aegypti eggs and leave them to dry for at least a day.
    Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
  • Top with the remaining Sichuan pepper oil, pine nuts, and cilantro, and serve hot with rice.
    Lois Goh, Saveur, 13 Nov. 2024

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Thesaurus Entries Near toothsome

Cite this Entry

“Toothsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toothsome. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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