pungent

adjective

ˈpən-jənt How to pronounce pungent (audio)
Definition of pungentnext
1
as in spicy
having a powerfully stimulating odor or flavor a pungent chili that is not for those with timid taste buds

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in satiric
marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings a pungent put-down that she will not soon forget

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in piquant
sharp and pleasantly stimulating to the mind or senses a newspaper columnist known for his pungent observations on everyday life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective pungent contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pungent are piquant, poignant, and racy. While all these words mean "sharp and stimulating to the mind or the senses," pungent implies a sharp, stinging, or biting quality especially of odors.

a cheese with a pungent odor

When might piquant be a better fit than pungent?

While in some cases nearly identical to pungent, piquant suggests a power to whet the appetite or interest through tartness or mild pungency.

a piquant sauce

When could poignant be used to replace pungent?

The words poignant and pungent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, poignant suggests something is sharply or piercingly effective in stirring one's emotions.

felt a poignant sense of loss

When can racy be used instead of pungent?

While the synonyms racy and pungent are close in meaning, racy implies having a strongly characteristic natural quality fresh and unimpaired.

spontaneous, racy prose

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 pungent Curious Pets Skunks have musky, pungent odors that pets may notice. — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 24 Sep. 2026 The diaries—particularly in Julian Sachs’s unexpurgated version, which captures Pavese’s alternating earnestness, archness, and pungent vulgarity—pose something of a problem. — Max Norman, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026 My pungent plateful grew in strength from tomme to Shropshire blue, accompanied by crusty bread, fruit and nuts. — Adrienne Wyper, TheWeek, 17 Sep. 2026 Sweet onions contain fewer sulfurous compounds than pungent onions. — Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pungent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pungent
  1. spicy
  2. satiric
  3. piquant
  4. tangy
  5. sarcastic
  6. delicious
  7. strong
  8. acidic
Adjective
  • The restaurant also makes its own salsas, including roja, verde and a spicier green variety.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The property collaborated with Nobu and the food is clean and delicious—unsurprisingly, lots of raw fish and produce like spicy microgreens and August-sweet tomatoes grown at Sensei’s hydroponic farm down the road.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of spicy
Adjective
  • In his essay, Baron Cohen says that’s the point, because the character is a satirical figure designed to expose prejudice.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Riehle played Tom Smykowski, a cynical Initech product manager, in Mike Judge’s 1999 satirical comedy Office Space, sharing credits with Ron Livingston, Jennifer Aniston, Stephen Root and Gary Cole.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of satiric
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
Adjective
  • By swapping in tomatillos for the more common tomatoes and pairing them with citrus, Schmitt brings bright, tangy notes to this simple soup.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Some fans are staunch defenders of the polarizing pork sandwich, which consists of a boneless pork patty smothered in tangy barbecue sauce, topped with onions and pickles and served on a toasted roll.
    — Sadie Chafe, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of tangy
Adjective
  • Eidra pushes her tendency to get glib and sarcastic rather than risk being vulnerable and honest to its farthest limits.
    — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The interest has been driven largely by the brand's casual, sarcastic tone and active participation in online trends.
    — Megan Sauer, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of sarcastic
Adjective
  • This recipe for double crust apple pie delivers a mix of tart and sweet along with cinnamon that is crispy, delicious and is worth the indulgence.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Refrigerated tortellini is one of the fastest ways to turn plain broth into a satiating, delicious meal.
    — Danielle Bouchard, Martha Stewart, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of delicious
Adjective
  • Policymakers recognized that American companies needed a stronger reason to invest in innovation.
    — Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Meta Platforms, which is pushing its Muse AI agent, lost 7% after reporting stronger revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected, though its profit fell short.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of strong
Adjective
  • With blistering satirical slants and a steady mix of acidic jabs at middle-class life, Darko should be boffo among the teen and young adults segment as well as those viewers still plugged into a sophomoric self-identity.
    — Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Rice vinegar is acidic and tart, with little natural sweetness.
    — Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of acidic

Browse Nearby Words

pungency
pungent
pungled (up)
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Cite this Entry

“Pungent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pungent. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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