piquancy

noun

pi·​quan·​cy ˈpē-kən(t)-sē How to pronounce piquancy (audio)
ˈpi-kwən(t)-
: the quality or state of being piquant

Examples of piquancy in a Sentence

a talk show host known for the quickness and piquancy of his wit I appreciated the piquancy of the peppers in the sauce.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The most notable part of this gag was not the joke itself, a standard late-night quip delivered with appropriate piquancy. David Sims, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2025 The key to its flavor is a balance of sweet, spice, piquancy and heat, which creates a balanced and addictive bite. Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 17 June 2024 While there are pops of piquancy in Landon’s script, her direction and the performances (with the exception of Woodard) fail to inspire much more than a shrug. Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2024 But there’s a special spice, a special piquancy, to our Reacherism right now. James Parker, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2024 See All Example Sentences for piquancy

Word History

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of piquancy was in 1664

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Piquancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/piquancy. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

piquancy

noun
pi·​quan·​cy ˈpē-kən-sē How to pronounce piquancy (audio)
: the quality or state of being piquant
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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