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Definitions

zesty

[zes-tee] / ˈzɛs ti /
ADJECTIVE
bubbly
Synonyms
STRONGEST
effervescent energetic lively peppy perky
STRONG
dynamic sparkling
WEAK
animated bubbling enthusiastic full of beans full of life high-spirited spirited vibrant
Antonyms
STRONGEST
apathetic inactive lethargic lifeless tired
STRONG
dull
WEAK
flat listless still
ADJECTIVE
frisky
Synonyms
STRONGEST
jumpy lively playful
WEAK
active antic bouncy coltish dashing feeling one's oats frolicsome full of beans gamesome high-spirited in high spirits kittenish larkish peppy prankish rollicking romping spirited sportive wicked zippy
Antonyms
WEAK
depressed down lifeless
ADJECTIVE
peppery
Synonyms
STRONGEST
piquant pungent spicy
WEAK
fiery hot poignant racy snappy zestful
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bland dull flavorless tasteless
WEAK
cheerful happy
ADJECTIVE
piquant
Synonyms
STRONGEST
peppery poignant pungent racy savory spicy tangy
WEAK
highly seasoned interesting lively provocative sharp snappy sparkling spirited stimulating stinging tart well-flavored with a kick zestful
Antonyms
STRONGEST
blah bland clean dull flavorless moral tasteless
ADJECTIVE
poignant
Synonyms
STRONGEST
biting caustic sarcastic
WEAK
acrid acute keen penetrating peppery piercing piquant pointed pungent racy severe snappy spicy stinging tangy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm kind mild nice
WEAK
blah blunt dull numb pleasant soothing unaffecting
ADJECTIVE
pungent
Synonyms
STRONGEST
barbed biting bitter caustic incisive peppery piercing poignant salty scathing spicy telling trenchant
WEAK
acrimonious acute cutting exciting hot keen mordant penetrating pointed provocative racy salt sarcastic snappy stimulating stringent
Antonyms
STRONGEST
blah bland calm dull gentle kind mild nice pleasant soothing sweet weak
WEAK
flavorless tasteless
ADJECTIVE
pungent
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acid acrid aromatic bitter peppery piquant poignant salty sharp sour spicy stinging tangy
WEAK
effluvious hot nosey odoriferous racy rich seasoned snappy stinking strong tart whiffy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
blah bland blunt calm cheerful dull good happy kind mild nice pleasant sweet tasteless
WEAK
flavorless
ADJECTIVE
racy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
animated entertaining lively poignant saucy
WEAK
bright buoyant clever distinctive exciting exhilarating fiery forceful forcible gingery heady keen mettlesome peppery piquant playful pungent rich salty sharp snappy sparkling spicy spirited sportive sprightly stimulating strong tangy tart tasty vigorous vivacious witty
Antonyms
STRONGEST
dull
WEAK
clean idle languid lazy modest moral upright
ADJECTIVE
spicy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
appetizing aromatic distinctive fiery fragrant fresh hot peppery piquant savory seasoned sweet tangy tasty
WEAK
ambrosial aromal flavorsome herbaceous highly seasoned keen odoriferous perfumed poignant racy redolent scented snappy spirited zippy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bland stale tasteless unappetizing unsavory
WEAK
flavorless
ADJECTIVE
spirited
Synonyms
STRONGEST
animated bold bright courageous energetic enthusiastic fearless fiery gutsy passionate peppy resolute spunky vigorous
STRONG
alert animate brave burning game jumping keen rocking sparkling
WEAK
active ardent audacious avid bouncy chirpy dauntless eager effervescent full of life gingery gritty high-spirited hot hyper intrepid mettlesome nervy peppery plucky sharp snappy sprightly zappy zealous zingy zippy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
afraid apathetic cold cool cowardly dull fearful idle inactive indifferent lethargic light meek shy timid tired unenthusiastic unexcited weak
STRONG
cautious
WEAK
depressed dispirited lazy unhappy unlively
ADJECTIVE
spunky
Synonyms
STRONGEST
chirpy courageous energetic fearless high-spirited peppy plucky
WEAK
active alert animated bold bouncy brave eager enthusiastic fiery full of life full of spirit game gritty gutsy snappy sprightly tough vigorous zippy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
apathetic fearful inactive lethargic lifeless timid tired
ADJECTIVE
tangy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
appetizing aromatic flavorful peppery piquant pungent salty seasoned sweet tasty
WEAK
biting bitter fiery flavorsome harsh highly seasoned hot tart vinegary zippy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
blah bland dull tasteless unappetizing unsavory
ADJECTIVE
vibrant
Synonyms
STRONGEST
active dynamic energetic lively spirited vigorous vital vivid
WEAK
animated electrifying peppy responsive sensitive sound sparkling virile vivacious zippy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
apathetic dispirited dull idle inactive lazy lethargic lifeless sluggish weak
WEAK
colorless pale quiet
ADJECTIVE
vivacious
Synonyms
WEAK
active alert animate animated bouncy brash breezy bubbling cheerful ebullient effervescent exuberant frolicsome full of life gay happy high-spirited jolly jumping keen lighthearted merry playful rocking scintillating sparkling sportive sprightly swinging upbeat vibrant vital
Antonyms
WEAK
boring dispirited dull unattractive unhappy

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.

We paused to smell the zesty aroma of California sagebrush, which grows all along the Canyon Trail.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2026

It’s simpler to prepare than one might assume, whether a chef goes Daisy’s route and simply roasts it or, like Charles, adds his great grandmother’s zesty sauce.

From Salon • Nov. 1, 2025

For that, I borrowed some of the zesty, spicy flavors of larb.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 14, 2024

A zesty and unlikely bidding war has seen a lemon that is nearly 300 years old fetch more than £1,000 at auction.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2024

He makes me the most zesty yet subtle macaroni and cheese I’ve ever had.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

Vocabulary lists containing zesty

Tasteful Terms: Flavorful Words

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Words to Describe Food

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Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Suffixes: -y

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!