spice 1 of 2

noun

ˈspīs How to pronounce spice (audio)
Definition of spicenext
1
as in scent
a sweet or pleasant smell a cologne for men that captures all of the spice of the sea

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in flavor
something (as a spice or herb) that adds an agreeable or interesting taste to food Europe in Columbus's time imported rare and valuable spices from the Indies

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3
as in zest
the quality or state of being stimulating to the mind or senses a new hobby will add spice to your life

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

spice

2 of 2

verb

as in to flavor
to make more pleasant to the taste by adding something intensely flavored spice the stew with more pepper

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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 spice
Noun
The exhibition highlights how trade routes connected the Arabian Gulf, East Africa, India, China, and Southeast Asia through the exchange of spices, pearls, textiles, jewelry, and religious beliefs. — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026 Anyone considering clove as a supplement, rather than as a cooking spice, should talk to a doctor first. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026
Verb
The general trivia and straight clues are also tough, and there’s a good amount of novelty, including 11 debut entries, a few oddballs among them, and one utterly brutal misdirect that significantly spiced up my solving experience. — Caitlin Lovinger, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2026 The resulting meatballs were moist, herby, spiced, seasoned, spicy and just a joy to eat. — Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spice
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spice
  1. scent
  2. flavor
  3. zest
  4. fragrance
  5. flavoring
  6. piquancy
  7. aroma
  8. tang
Noun
  • Warhound wants to improve canine health and longevity alongside traits such as speed, agility, and scent detection.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Cadaver dogs also alerted to the scent of a corpse in the vehicle.
    — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of scent
Noun
  • Its layers were pastel pink, lavender, and off-white, and each color came with its own individual flavor.
    — Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Lofoten Gardsysteri is a biodynamic, organic dairy farm that aims to make the best possible use of local resources and distinct flavors.
    — Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of flavor
Noun
  • To be sure, practicing a zest for life can be harder for those who have physical illness and pain and those who engage in unhealthy lifestyle behaviors.
    — Joan M. Cook, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Appreciation of beauty and excellence ranks near the top of her list, along with gratitude and zest.
    — Allison Aubrey, NPR, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of zest
Noun
  • Naugle was a customer who just came in on a busy day and started to help other people find their fragrance.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The 100% pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils are crafted to deliver long-lasting, natural fragrance.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of fragrance
Noun
  • Later that day, at the other end of the sprawling coastal city, an inspection team arrived unannounced at a factory for food flavorings and bakery additives.
    — Zishaan a Latif, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Be mindful of the nutrition label when buying peanut butter or oatmeal and avoid varieties with additives, sugar, and flavorings.
    — Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of flavoring
Noun
  • Those split levels of child and adult consciousness give the film a certain piquancy, a little gap where drama can spark in a story where almost nothing really happens except a kid takes a plane ride, or several plane rides, with his mom.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
  • That Mann himself had written stories on gay themes added to the piquancy of the encounter.
    — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of piquancy
Noun
  • Their texture and aroma stand up to the cheese, walnuts and creamy buttermilk dressing.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Their 2021 Pogetto di Sopra Alleanza is exceptionally well made with aromas of vanilla, cherry, and red plum.
    — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of aroma
Noun
  • The movie sanitizes the past and removes its tang, its pungency, leaving a craving for contact with nature, with raw experience, with incongruities and accidents and anything but what fits, in lieu of such synthetic sophistication.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The pickled papaya salad on top lends the loveliest bit of sweet tang and a little crunch.
    — Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of tang

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sphinxlike
spice
spiced
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Cite this Entry

“Spice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spice. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on spice

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spice

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