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Definitions

zest

[zest] / zɛst /
NOUN
taste, flavor; pep, joie de vivre
Synonyms
STRONGEST
flavoring ginger salt seasoning spice
STRONG
bite body charm get-up-and-go guts interest kick nip piquancy punch pungency relish savor snap tang zip
Antonyms
STRONG
apathy blandness boredom dullness idleness lethargy
WEAK
indifference laziness
NOUN
energy, gusto
Synonyms
STRONGEST
appetite enthusiasm fervor passion
STRONG
ardor bliss bounce cheer delectation delight eagerness ecstasy elation enjoyment guts happiness keenness moxie pep pleasure relish satisfaction zeal zing
Antonyms
STRONGEST
apathy coolness dislike hatred indifference
STRONG
depression dissatisfaction gloom hate lethargy melancholy misery need pain sadness sorrow trouble unhappiness want woe
WEAK
blandness dullness laziness

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I’ll add snappy green beans on the side, finished with a little citrus zest for lift, for a plate that feels balanced, considered and far more effortful than it actually is.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2026

Bake this beautiful concoction and sprinkle flaky salt and grated lemon zest on top before serving with pasta or over slices of fresh sourdough.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

Lemon zest, stirred in at the end, brings everything into focus—the richness of the coconut, the savoriness of the miso, the warmth of the spices.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

Then comes lift, like lemon zest, a splash of vinegar, something to pull everything upward.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

He actually seemed to serve as a zest to Mr. Jaggers’s wine.

From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens

Vocabulary lists containing zest

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