toothsome

adjective

ˈtüth-səm How to pronounce toothsome (audio)
Definition of toothsomenext
1
as in delicious
very pleasing to the sense of taste a toothsome chocolate dessert

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in desirable
sexually attractive the movie star and his supermodel girlfriend are considered the most toothsome couple in Hollywood

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Prawn and black truffle dumplings are a joy, the shimmering black casings colored with charcoal powder and stuffed with toothsome shrimp. — Connie Ogle july 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026 The foot is the bulk of the abalone, the muscular, toothsome mass of tissue that harvesters coveted. — Literary Hub, 29 July 2026 The abalone is plump and toothsome, yet still tender and accompanied by asparagus kissed by the fire. — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 16 June 2026 Organized by color, the book is chockablock with toothsome images of fashion legends, first ladies, pop stars, and lavish projects by the world’s leading designers and architects. — Mayer Rus, Architectural Digest, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for toothsome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toothsome
  1. delicious
  2. desirable
  3. edible
  4. sexy
  5. hot
Adjective
  • There are so many delicious desserts that star apples, including cakes, cobblers, and more.
    — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2026
  • No ermine robe was too soft, and no dish too delicious, for the cardinals of the past.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of delicious
Adjective
  • The products have to remain desirable enough that customers are willing to pay up at a time when AI is squeezing margins across much of the software sector.
    — CJ Haddad, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Increasingly, however, marinas are becoming desirable destinations unto themselves.
    — Chrissie McClatchie, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of desirable
Adjective
  • They're packaged quite perfectly for gift-giving in a gift set of four mini bars that are just as exciting to unwrap as an (edible) holiday treat.
    — Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Jalebi Chat — accented with nylon sev (a thin, crispy Indian snack made from chickpea flour) and silver varaq (a thin, edible sheet of silver used in South Asian treats).
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of edible
Adjective
  • Creative endeavor, in the space of a few hours, flashes its many faces, arduous and sexy, fleeting and fun.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
  • What's the male equivalent of a woman wearing sexy underwear expecting them to be seen by her date?
    — Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of sexy
Adjective
  • Credit stress at CoreWeave, concerns over corporate AI spending and another hot inflation report erased more than $1 trillion from 20 of the world's largest AI and semiconductor stocks this week.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Another hot Thursday rumor said that Rice also met recently with NBCUniversal about a post there.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of hot

Browse Nearby Words

tooth and nail
toothsome
toothsomeness
See all Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Toothsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toothsome. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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