SPICINESS Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

spiciness

noun

Definition of spiciness

as in piquancy

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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 spiciness Secondly, the breakfast sandwich blended the savoriness, spiciness, and cheesiness of its ingredients perfectly. — Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026 Aggressive spiciness throughout, most notably in our favorite entree, Ma La Chile Prawns, stir fried with Sichuan peppercorns, garlic, ginger and julienned Chinese celery. — Connie Ogle july 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026 This variant ups the complexity of stout with the spiciness of rye and a toasty oak sweetness. — Don Tse, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 The chipotle and lime aioli give the taco a bit of spiciness. — Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 June 2026 According to Valera, a great Ceviche balances the umami of Florida seafood, like grouper, mahi-mahi, or Florida yellowtail snapper; with citrus and a touch of spiciness. — Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 30 May 2026 Culantro, whose spiciness is similar to that of cilantro but more intense, is more sensitive to direct sun than cilantro and will grow its best in partial shade. — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 28 May 2026 Cooking or pickling peppers in vinegar may tone down their spiciness. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 May 2026 Manz, a sales engineer from Germany visiting New York City at the time, alleged that the restaurant failed to warn customers about the spiciness of the salsas. — Melina Khan, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiciness

Noun

Those split levels of child and adult consciousness give the film a certain piquancy, a little gap where drama can spark in a story where almost nothing really happens except a kid takes a plane ride, or several plane rides, with his mom.

— Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
That Mann himself had written stories on gay themes added to the piquancy of the encounter.

— Alex Ross, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026

Definition of piquancy

Noun

The movie sanitizes the past and removes its tang, its pungency, leaving a craving for contact with nature, with raw experience, with incongruities and accidents and anything but what fits, in lieu of such synthetic sophistication.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2026
Spices like ginger add warmth, pungency, and peppery sweetness to a variety of dishes.

— Carole Kotkin, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of pungency

Noun

Onion and garlic build the base, red pepper flakes bring heat, and Parmesan and lemon zest keep things salty, nutty, and bright.

— Rachel Gurjar, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Oct. 2026
The orange zest added into the frosting adds a bit of brightness that punches up this delightful dessert.

— Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of zest

Noun

From smoky, spirit-forward drinks to warming spices and frightening garnishes, cocktails in October have a little extra mystery.

— Angela Hansberger, AJC.com, 23 Oct. 2026
There was a basket with lemons, each one tied with red curling ribbon, fish spices stacked, the register with all the keys covered by a silicone hood, and a pile of newspapers next to a pile of wrapping sheets.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of spice

Noun

Save the vinegar for dishes that need tang, not mirin’s rounded sweetness.

— Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026
The movie sanitizes the past and removes its tang, its pungency, leaving a craving for contact with nature, with raw experience, with incongruities and accidents and anything but what fits, in lieu of such synthetic sophistication.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of tang

Noun

Azzaro’s The Most Wanted is cozy, with hints of wood and bourbon vanilla, plus a distinctive zing of ginger.

— Genevieve Cepeda, InStyle, 21 Oct. 2026
There’s a real zing to the sauce au poivre, which is mahogany-dark and sticky with demi-glace, and a cozy depth to the paccheri, floppy cylinders of pasta in a cream sauce with kale and sausage.

— Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of zing

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spices

spiciness

spicing

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

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Synonyms of spiciness

noun

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