as in spicy
sharp and pleasantly stimulating to the mind or senses
bland pasta that needs a zesty sauce
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of zesty
This slightly masculine fragrance opens with zesty bergamot, then gets grassy and a little dirty thanks to the notes of vetiver and synthetic civet musk.
—
Emily Orofino, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2025
These wines are crisp and refreshing on the palate, with high acidity and zesty citrus notes.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2025
Bright, zippy with a pop of zesty lime balanced with sea salt.
N.A.R.C.
—Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2025
The record of the year category for the 2025 Grammys is full of zesty pop hits from young female acts such as Chappell Roan, Charli XCX and Sabrina Carpenter.
—August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for zesty
Emily Orofino, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2025
These wines are crisp and refreshing on the palate, with high acidity and zesty citrus notes.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2025
Bright, zippy with a pop of zesty lime balanced with sea salt.
N.A.R.C.
—Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2025
The record of the year category for the 2025 Grammys is full of zesty pop hits from young female acts such as Chappell Roan, Charli XCX and Sabrina Carpenter.
—August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for zesty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zesty
Adjective
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This weekend’s electrifying showdown at the Etihad between Manchester City and Liverpool just got spicier.—
Julia Ranney,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025
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The Belgian blonde Buddy System is a spicy 6.4%, and the German-style helles checks in at 5.8%.—
Jason Mastrodonato,
The Mercury News,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Here, from the February 21, 1925, issue, are some particularly piquant reminders of shows past.—
The New Yorker,
The New Yorker,
7 Feb. 2025
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Their piquant sensitivity and horror have no equal in Millennial literature and journalism, which have become merely, rabidly politicized — so very socialist and anti-American that today’s media throws its hands up at the L.A. conflagration.—
Armond White,
National Review,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This delicious collection also includes a silk robe, sleep mask and a set of scrunchies.—
Bianca Salonga,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
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These delicious ones simmer in a mixture of grape jelly, barbecue sauce, and chili sauce for kick of heat.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The air was thick with both anticipation and a pungent smell as visitors flocked to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden last weekend for a chance to see a rare flower bloom.—
Sara Hashemi,
Smithsonian Magazine,
27 Jan. 2025
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The 2013 is a rich, intense, almost brooding wine that begs for hearty stews or (and) pungent mature cheeses.—
Paul Caputo,
Forbes,
19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Try the North Carolina flounder — the secret to its hearty crunch is nama panko, which stays crispy to lock in flavor — with a simple green salad with zingy ginger dressing, rice topped with a smattering of furikake and even a dollop of potato salad, harkening back to Perry’s Southern roots.—
Jenny Hartley,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Feb. 2025
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In addition, the island is conveniently outfitted with a roll-out baking station, painted the same zingy hue.—
Abby Wolner,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Stunning sunset views, wild horses galloping through the salty spray, and majestic sand dunes rising into the clear blue sky—every scene is more spectacular than the last.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2025
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The brine pools were found 4,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Aqaba, where the water is estimated to be up to 10 times saltier than normal seawater and a lack of oxygen causes the pools to kill or stun all marine life that enters it, according to a study published in Nature Communications.—
Christina Shaw,
Fox News,
21 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Zesty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zesty. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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