LADLE Synonyms: 29 Similar and Opposite Words

ladle 1 of 2

noun

ˈlā-dᵊl

Definition of ladle

as in spoon

a utensil with a bowl and a handle that is used especially in cooking and serving food the chef looked around for a ladle to add the chicken broth to the pot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

ladle

2 of 2

verb

as in to scoop

to lift out with something that holds liquid the server ladled out the soup from a large tureen

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fill
pour

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 ladle

Noun

Only at Loli Farms, they’re crowned with a ladle full of chicken drippings, instead of gravy. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026 The Essentials Set, made by a small wood shop out of Kempton, Pennsylvania, includes a large spatula, a stirring spoon, tongs, a medium serving spoon, a ladle, and Jonathan’ signature Original Spootle—plus a jar of their own SpoonWax to keep everything conditioned. — Jamie Thilman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Apr. 2026

Verb

Fresh lemonade and iced tea ladled into mason jars served with red-and-white-striped straws. — Literary Hub, 20 May 2026 Carefully ladle hot syrup over jalapeños until jar is full. — Jed Portman, Midwest Living, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for ladle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ladle

Noun

Add oil, honey and mashed bananas and beat until thick with wooden spoon.

— Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh has stopped spoon feeding Wall Street clues on what the US central bank will do next.

— Matt Egan, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of spoon

Browse Nearby Words

ladings

ladle

ladled

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ladle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ladle. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of ladle

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on ladle

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes