as in spicy
sharp and pleasantly stimulating to the mind or senses
a piquant tidbit of information about the new neighbors the piquant cuisine of India boasts some highly spiced dishes
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Recent Examples of piquant
Even a humble staple like queso is elevated with smokey undertones, a version so good that it can easily be eaten by the spoonful, alternating with the addictively piquant salsa verde that comes to the table with warm tortilla chips.
—
Claudia Alarcón, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
The crustaceans produce a piquant aroma while the red vegetable adds a layer of acidity and hint of sourness to the soup.
—Christina Liao, Vogue, 27 Dec. 2024
The Right Word is not so much to be consulted as to be read and savored by those who remember the early days of NR and the piquant personality behind it.
—William Voegeli, National Review, 19 Dec. 2024
When a film is particularly geographically piquant, a compliment soon follows that the city itself feels like a character.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for piquant
Claudia Alarcón, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
The crustaceans produce a piquant aroma while the red vegetable adds a layer of acidity and hint of sourness to the soup.
—Christina Liao, Vogue, 27 Dec. 2024
The Right Word is not so much to be consulted as to be read and savored by those who remember the early days of NR and the piquant personality behind it.
—William Voegeli, National Review, 19 Dec. 2024
When a film is particularly geographically piquant, a compliment soon follows that the city itself feels like a character.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for piquant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piquant
Adjective
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The Belgian blonde Buddy System is a spicy 6.4%, and the German-style helles checks in at 5.8%.—
Jason Mastrodonato,
The Mercury News,
21 Feb. 2025
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This weekend’s electrifying showdown at the Etihad between Manchester City and Liverpool just got spicier.—
Julia Ranney,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The air was thick with both anticipation and a pungent smell as visitors flocked to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden last weekend for a chance to see a rare flower bloom.—
Sara Hashemi,
Smithsonian Magazine,
27 Jan. 2025
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The 2013 is a rich, intense, almost brooding wine that begs for hearty stews or (and) pungent mature cheeses.—
Paul Caputo,
Forbes,
19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Matt Waldron’s answer to the fourth-grader was particularly poignant.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Feb. 2025
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Its snappy, postmodern unfurling, rife with intentionally obvious rear projections, does eventually give way to moving dimensions as the family’s history fades into view, but few political or personal elements amount to anything poignant.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Lemon Pound Cake Lager + Lemon Pepper Shrimp Tacos - The crisp, zesty profile of the lager enhances the bright citrus flavors in lemon pepper shrimp while cutting through the richness of the taco’s sauce.—
Noel Burgess,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
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Shifting our focus to green things, Yasmin Fahr’s zesty pasta with feta and green olives is briny and tangy and can be on the table in under 20 minutes.—
Melissa Clark,
New York Times,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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This delicious collection also includes a silk robe, sleep mask and a set of scrunchies.—
Bianca Salonga,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
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These delicious ones simmer in a mixture of grape jelly, barbecue sauce, and chili sauce for kick of heat.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The rice serves as both a foundation and a mediator, bridging the creamy blandness of the pasta salad with the blunt-instrument intensity of the plate lunch’s third and central component, one kind or another of salty, savory meat.—
Helen Rosner,
The New Yorker,
16 Feb. 2025
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The house selection includes sweet options like pecan, apple, and coconut cream, as well as savory picks like chicken pot pie, quiche, boudin pie, and crawfish pie.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Stunning sunset views, wild horses galloping through the salty spray, and majestic sand dunes rising into the clear blue sky—every scene is more spectacular than the last.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2025
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How about salty snacks like potato chips, pretzels, popcorn, crackers?—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Piquant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piquant. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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