salty

adjective

ˈsȯl-tē How to pronounce salty (audio)
Definition of saltynext
1
as in salt
of, relating to, or containing salt salty sea water is safe to swim in, but you really shouldn't swallow it

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2
as in spicy
hinting at or intended to call to mind matters regarded as indecent salty language that earned the movie an R rating

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in delicious
sharp and pleasantly stimulating to the mind or senses a salty, insightful analysis of male-female relationships

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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 salty Paired with peppery arugula and briny feta, the charred melon becomes the centerpiece in a salad that balances sweet, salty and savory notes in every bite. — Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026 This party mix is salty, sweet, and crispy with a spicy kick. — Jasmine Thompson, Midwest Living, 20 Aug. 2026 The oil is mixed with garlic and soy sauce that’s been reduced with scallions and brown sugar, forming a salty-sweet elixir that delivers lip-numbing but not face-melting heat. — Warren Rojas, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2026 Clams are consumed raw or cooked and have a bolder, saltier flavor than mussels. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for salty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for salty
  1. salt
  2. spicy
  3. delicious
  4. suggestive
  5. pungent
  6. savory
  7. zesty
  8. piquant
Adjective
  • Fertilizer is essentially salt, plus varying levels of nitrogen and potassium.
    — Shelby Deering, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Why Baking Soda Works on Weeds The reason baking soda is effective in killing weeds is that one of its major ingredients is salt.
    — David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 17 May 2026
Definition of salt
Adjective
  • Nightcap is a deliciously addictive gourmand, blending cozy vanilla and rich woods with sparkling ginger and cardamom for a spicy-sweet twist.
    — Allure Editors, Allure, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The dish is spicy enough and not so thick with cream or flour and is a standout in the clam chowder world, according to Times reader Mary Ann Mollenkamp.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of spicy
Adjective
  • Known for its sumptuous cuisine and delicious desserts, Italy has tourists lining up for gelato all over the peninsula.
    — Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Black Pepper Candied Bacon Fogo de Chão/MANNY RODRIGUEZ At Fogo de Chão, this delicious bacon dish is oven roasted with brown sugar, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
    — Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of delicious
Adjective
  • Messages in 2024 between Johnson and Duffey revealed the two men used suggestive language.
    — Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • They are not allowed to send or receive pornography, but there are no rules against suggestive photos.
    — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of suggestive
Adjective
  • When a radish is cut, bitten, or crushed, its cells are damaged, triggering an enzyme called myrosinase to break down the glucosinolates into various metabolites, including pungent compounds known as isothiocyanates.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The pungent smells of pot smoke and someone else’s urine compete with the dank smell of the canal.
    — Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of pungent
Adjective
  • The dish features sweet and savory thick-cut bacon suspended from a miniature clothesline.
    — Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The Star ordered The sweet vanilla ice cream was balanced out with savory olive oil and salt ($6) and gave a traditional ice cream much more dimension.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of savory
Adjective
  • Juicy heirloom tomatoes, garlic, briny olives, bright vinegar, and fresh herbs come together in a delicious, zesty sauce.
    — Maddy Bendgen, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Creole mustard is a zesty mix of coarsely ground brown mustard seeds, vinegar, and in some cases, spices such as paprika and cayenne.
    — Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of zesty
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

Browse Nearby Words

saltwater
salty
salubrious
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Cite this Entry

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

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