DELECTATION Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

delectation

noun

ˌdē-ˌlek-ˈtā-shən

Definition of delectation

as in joy

a source of great satisfaction tourists enjoying the delectations of this tropical paradise for the first time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in enjoyment

the feeling experienced when one's wishes are met a musical concert was presented for the delectation of the guests

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 delectation The movie wastes no time delivering the gory goods, which are served up for our delectation like the killings in a slasher movie. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 11 Apr. 2026 The result is a Pynchonian reduction simmered to delectation. — Jack Denton, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025 Beatmakers and sound design whizzes were summoned at ungodly hours to conjure nightmares of party music for their employer’s curatorial delectation. — Pitchfork, 30 Sep. 2025 More than fifty years ago, any semi-sentient being could recognize the dangers of forcing minors to work gruelling hours performing emotions for the delectation of large and unseen audiences, long before their brains had finished developing. — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2025 Shelly still loves the glitz (as does the film’s director, Gia Coppola, who lingers on it all with real delectation), reminiscing about her glory days in cabaret. — Rhonda Garelick, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2025 Magnificent, with a thundering equine climax for adult delectation. — Armond White, National Review, 28 June 2023

Recent Examples of Synonyms for delectation

Noun

The joy in this book is how once-secret desire is eventually and fully met by, and with, love.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
One of them was Maggie Bieritz, one of those people who radiates joy and wit.

— Heidi Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of joy

Noun

They were found to sharply increase how long people continued to engage, but often for reasons of anger and curiosity, rather than enjoyment.

— Pascal Vrticka, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2026
Richardson discusses how his early fascination with science and his enjoyment of science fiction has influenced his poetry and considers the way his aphorisms counterbalance his more lyric poems.

— Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of enjoyment

Noun

The more these three play together, the more the emotional register of their music keeps breaching into delight.

— Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026
Even Jeff, post-premiere, has been a delight, just kind of letting the game play out and not foisting metaphors upon us at Tribal Council.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of delight

Noun

Yet as related here in the low-key delivery of someone who not just survived but lived to be 101 years old, Jaku was able to enjoy the love, peace, contentment and security he was denied in his youth.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
The Straits of Florida glisten and the sun leaves a feeling of hazy contentment.

— Oliver Wu, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of contentment

Noun

At Malate Church, parishioners marked the feast Sunday by bringing their beloved pets for a special blessing — mostly dogs but also cats and even a pet snail.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026
In the scene, Simon’s family speaks Kreyòl — although to varying degrees of proficiency — and the camera lingers on the Haitian feast presented on the table.

— Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of feast

Noun

His ambition is mostly to lure new customers — including the #BookTok generation — off their screens and into the stores to experience the IRL pleasures of book shopping.

— Andy Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
Your work has long played with pleasure, kink and the tension between what is proper and what is provocative — from your infamous jockstraps to the recent patent leather groom who closed the recent men’s show in Milan.

— Tyler Matthew Oyer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of pleasure

Noun

Non-traditional cuts of steaks are the order of the day at Alvear Grill, while L'Orangerie y el Jardin d'Hiver serves a breakfast buffet that's a real treat, and afternoon tea with white-gloved waiters.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Especially right now, since Amazon just shaved 22% off for a Prime Day treat.

— Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of treat

Noun

And the pursuit of more can make satisfaction increasingly difficult to sustain.

— Wyles Daniel, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
That said, the impossibility of knowing how to get rid of these immense beings, and the DIY nature of the operations its doughty characters come up with, is one of the great sources of satisfaction these movies offer.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of satisfaction

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delectably

delectation

delectations

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“Delectation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delectation. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of delectation

noun

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