zesty

adjective

ˈze-stē How to pronounce zesty (audio)
Definition of zestynext
as in spicy
sharp and pleasantly stimulating to the mind or senses bland pasta that needs a zesty sauce

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 zesty The orange bitters add a dry and zesty citrus character, and the Bénédictine brings a late-palate honeyed complexity that is warmed with baking spices. — Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026 The Omen 16 is a capable mid-range machine with a zesty 16-inch WQXGA screen that blasts through top titles with a 240Hz refresh rate. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026 Specific menu items include the Italian sausage, egg and Cooper’s sharp cheese sandwich; biscuits and gravy; and chorizo breakfast burrito with eggs, potatoes, onions, cheese and zesty red pepper relish. — Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2026 Orange-Honey Sweet Rolls Sweetened with honey and zesty with orange, these hearty rolls make a great alternative to the traditional breakfast cinnamon roll. — Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for zesty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zesty
  1. spicy
  2. piquant
  3. delicious
  4. pungent
  5. zingy
  6. salty
Adjective
  • The restaurant also makes its own salsas, including roja, verde and a spicier green variety.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The property collaborated with Nobu and the food is clean and delicious—unsurprisingly, lots of raw fish and produce like spicy microgreens and August-sweet tomatoes grown at Sensei’s hydroponic farm down the road.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of spicy
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
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 script is full of pungent, funny debates about power, with observations that still land.
    — Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The garlic added a pungent heat, and the tahina a nutty savoriness.
    — Cooking Editor, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of pungent
Adjective
  • Be sure to order a side of the crispy potatoes and the zingy herb salad.
    — Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Meanwhile, an electric color palette of zingy greens, bold reds, and Prussian blues–touched off with plenty of black accents–amplifies the property’s wildly original juxtaposition of antiquity and modernity.
    — Alexandra Kirkman, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of zingy
Adjective
  • Yet this isn’t about sweet edibles, but rather something molecular, salty — to push candidates outside their comfort zones.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Lay’s Wavy Milk Chocolate features the brand’s signature ridged potato chips coated in milk chocolate, while Lay’s Wavy Dubai-Style Dark Chocolate combines dark chocolate and pistachios with the salty crunch of potato chips.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of salty

Browse Nearby Words

zestless
zesty
zig
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Cite this Entry

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

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