savory 1 of 2

variants also savoury
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as in satisfying
giving pleasure or contentment to the mind or senses having to fire someone was not a task that the manager found at all savory

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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savory

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noun

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of savory are appetizing, palatable, tasty, and toothsome. While all these words mean "agreeable or pleasant especially to the sense of taste," savory applies to both taste and aroma and suggests piquancy and often spiciness.

dumplings with savory fillings

When can appetizing be used instead of savory?

While in some cases nearly identical to savory, appetizing suggests a whetting of the appetite and applies to aroma and appearance as well as taste.

appetizing hors d'oeuvres

When could palatable be used to replace savory?

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

butterflies that birds find palatable

In what contexts can tasty take the place of savory?

The words tasty and savory can be used in similar contexts, but tasty implies a pronounced taste.

a tart and tasty pie

Where would toothsome be a reasonable alternative to savory?

The meanings of toothsome and savory largely overlap; however, toothsome stresses the notion of agreeableness and sometimes implies tenderness or daintiness.

an enticing array of toothsome desserts

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 savory
Adjective
The first course is a traditional croissant, just a few minutes out of the oven, then on to a savory, with menus rotating seasonally. Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 19 Dec. 2024 Enjoy an assortment of sweets, scones, savories, and petit fours alongside seasonal Churchill’s Tea selections and live holiday music. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 24 Nov. 2024
Noun
Both have sweet and fruity aromas that are great for iced tea, but can play well in savory contexts too (like Minty Chicken Meatballs). Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 July 2025 Turmeric, sometimes called Indian saffron, is often used in savory curries and soups. Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Health, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for savory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for savory
Adjective
  • During a nature walk, our guide collected common plants, botanicals, and aromatic herbs, sharing their therapeutic properties.
    Nina-Sophia Miralles, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • Cooking meat at high temperatures or in direct contact with a flame or a hot surface can produce carcinogens, including heterocyclic aromatic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
    Brittany Poulson, People.com, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • Coulda fooled me that the whole thing was made without dairy — these are just as delicious as the butter-laden sort.
    Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 15 July 2025
  • Playing Francis Cobb was a great delicious blessing top to bottom.
    Shania Russell, EW.com, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • Pair this Protein Box with a low-calorie drink, like iced green tea, for a satisfying and nutritious snack.
    Jillian Kubala, Health, 15 July 2025
  • Black Bean Brownies Black bean brownies are fudgy, indulgent, and packed with protein, making for a rich and satisfying dessert.
    Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • But after its three-year hiatus, the food chain is re-releasing the sandwich, now with three versions to choose from—original, spicy and grilled.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 15 July 2025
  • Ginger Beer: As ever, the spicier the ginger beer, the better.
    Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • The final dish is finished with fresh herbs for brightness and more peppers for that unmistakable tang.
    Mary Claire Britton, Southern Living, 8 July 2025
  • Rich and opulent flavors include red cherries, herbs of Provence and red licorice.
    Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
Adjective
  • Cook for 1 minute, or until the herbs are fragrant.
    Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 10 July 2025
  • Forming a slowly spreading colony of 24-inch-tall, gracefully arching stems, plants produce lightly fragrant white spring flowers that hang like little white bells from the underside of each stem.
    Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
Adjective
  • Some users may want a smoother bokeh effect with a wider aperture, but the f/2 aperture on this lens produces a pleasing bokeh effect that isolates subjects.
    Harry Bennett, Space.com, 3 July 2025
  • There’s plenty pleasing the eye at the elegant restaurant adorned with shiny chandeliers, red velvet booths, a bountiful display of red roses, a red piano atop the bar, and art deco-inspired pieces on the walls.
    Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
Adjective
  • My favorite dish here was a piquant ceviche served with tortilla chips.
    Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2025
  • And to think, this pitiless conquistador came to North America as a humble kitchen herb, deliberately imported by European settlers for its piquant flavor.
    Zoë Lescaze, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Savory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/savory. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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