SAVORY Synonyms: 292 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

savory 1 of 2

adjective

ˈsā-və-rē

variants also savoury

Definition of savory

as in aromatic

having a pleasant smell cedar is one of the most savory of all woods

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in delicious

very pleasing to the sense of taste a savory beef stew that really hit the spot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sweet

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

as in spicy

sharp and pleasantly stimulating to the mind or senses a savory new book on a subject that seemingly had been done to death

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

savory

2 of 2

noun

as in herb

Related Words

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 goat is tender and deeply savory, the perfect vehicle for slathering charred avocado and queso for a truly melt-in-your-mouth bite. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Sep. 2026 Adding Umami Salt is associated with sodium, while umami is the deep, savory quality linked to glutamates and ingredients such as tomato, mushroom, miso, seaweed, Parmesan and anchovy, says Adane. — Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 11 Sep. 2026

Noun

The mild sweetness of onions pairs naturally with tallow’s savory character, and when fried at the right temperature the coating turns crisp and golden without the onions losing their tender bite. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026 For nearly two decades, Pena and his wife have run a Dominican restaurant in Allentown, where the aroma of crispy pastelillos and savory rice fills the dining room. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for savory

Recent Examples of Synonyms for savory

Adjective

There are 1,775 square feet of green spaces, including aromatic plants, trees, flowers and fruits nodding to those found in Dior’s former abodes.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Shu Shop, dark and inviting, is an izakaya and ramen spot with a tight list of gyoza, sashimi, and soups, and aromatic, low-ABV drinks.

— Leslie Pariseau, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of aromatic

Adjective

And captured the juiciness of ripe strawberries, snapping the fruit into sweet focus in a pint of strawberry and passion fruit ice cream.

— Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Also milder, sweeter and less earthy than red beets, so make sure the red beet-haters give them a taste.

— Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of sweet

Adjective

The resulting meatballs were moist, herby, spiced, seasoned, spicy and just a joy to eat.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Braeburns have pronounced sweetness balanced by tartness, and their flavor becomes richer, almost spicy, in the oven.

— Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of spicy

Noun

Instead of the traditional avocado, Pittol makes the pistachio-green Venezuelan condiment with labneh, aji amarillo paste and plenty of fresh herbs.

— Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Place onion, apple, lemon quarters, and herb sprigs inside cavity.

— Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of herb

Adjective

Toast 2 cups blanched hazelnuts on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing halfway through, until golden brown and fragrant, 15–18 minutes.

— Tanya Bush, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Oct. 2026
Our highlights were the sticky Yabba pot rice and the lamb curry, which were fragrant and delicate but packed a punch.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of fragrant

Adjective

Talking Heads frontman David Byrne makes a delightful cameo as the fictional host Johnny Johnson, while producer Dan Nigro features in the video as well.

— Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026
Each step sends a ripple through the spongy, thin mat, a slow undulating motion beneath your feet that surprises the senses, disorienting yet simultaneously strangely delightful.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of delightful

Adjective

Sipping on the watermelon, calamansi, ginger agua fresca was just the right pairing with my boldly piquant dinner.

— The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026
Placebo, loukoumi, kouglof, toda raba, Sharapova, tempura, cacao, platypus, shrub, castagnette, potato salada, potage piquant pékinois.

— Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 13 July 2026

Definition of piquant

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savors

savory

savvied

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“Savory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/savory. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of savory

adjective

noun

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