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
  • This recipe for double crust apple pie delivers a mix of tart and sweet along with cinnamon that is crispy, delicious and is worth the indulgence.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Refrigerated tortellini is one of the fastest ways to turn plain broth into a satiating, delicious meal.
    — Danielle Bouchard, Martha Stewart, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of delicious
Adjective
  • The rise of affordable alternatives flips part of that playbook by celebrating the hunt itself, aka the ability to track down desirable products for less.
    — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Others cite potential sharp shifts in drug use behaviors, such as people stopping opioid use because the supply became less desirable through lacing with sedatives such as xylazine and medetomidine.
    — J. Travis Donahoe, STAT, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of desirable
Adjective
  • Across the islands, artisanal cheesemakers and farmers growing root vegetables and edible flowers are cultivating the region’s rich ecosystem.
    — Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Rather than swapping to a low-sodium diet, using a blend that features one particular peptide isolated from the edible Hypsizygus marmoreus mushroom could mean drastically reducing salt intake for your health, without sacrificing flavor.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of edible
Adjective
  • Cocktails are served at Drink Kong, the sexy, high-concept cocktail bar—its second location in the city—adjoining the property.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The album featured the sexy, chicken-scratch funk of the 1970s melted down to something slow and gooey next to early-morning comedown music for a ’90s-style sunrise in the chill-out room.
    — Jack Denton, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of sexy
Adjective
  • Then, of course, there’s the sandwich that started it all — the Sublime, with prosciutto, hot soppressata, burrata, fresh walnut pesto, spicy garlic aioli, sundried tomatoes and arugula.
    — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Neither is the league’s hottest player, the record five-time MVP A’Ja Wilson, whose defending champion Las Vegas were swept in the semifinals by Golden State.
    — Don Riddell, CNN Money, 22 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 27 Oct. 2026.

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