delectation

delectation
noun
de·;lec·;ta·;tion ;d;-;lek-;t;-sh;n  di-; ;de-l;k-
Synonyms of delectation
: delight, enjoyment


Did you know?
Pleasure, delight, and enjoyment are all synonyms for the agreeable emotion that comes with the possession or expectation of something good or greatly desired. Why, then, use delectation, that not-so-familiar synonym? Because, as with most synonym groups, each word has its own subtle distinctions. More than all the others, delectation carries a whiff of beyond-the-usual amusement, indulgence, or deliciousness. If a treat is offered to you for your delectation, it is likely something worth taking time to savor. Just as delight and pleasure can refer not only to an emotion but also to the object or experience responsible for it (as in “her new song is an absolute delight” and “it’s been a pleasure”), so can delectation. A tropical resort, for example, may offer vacationers an array of delectations—from poolside lounging to fancy cocktails.

Synonyms
delight
feast
gas [slang]
joy
kick
manna
pleasure
treat
Examples of delectation in a Sentence
Here is some chocolate for your delectation.
tourists enjoying the delectations of this tropical paradise for the first time
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Magnificent, with a thundering equine climax for adult delectation.
—Armond White, National Review, 28 June 2023
Six years before Die Hard’s John McClane ran barefoot over broken glass at Nakatomi Plaza, Stallone had punished himself for the audience’s delectation in First Blood, kicking off the craze for one-man-army thrillers.
—Vulture, 3 Aug. 2022