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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 piquant
And here’s the piquant spoiler: To a man, the three list Baeza high in their picks.
—
Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
The sauce is a piquant blend of tomato and vinegar that complements the pork shoulder.
—Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2025
But none of these things feels piquant in this production.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2025
In addition to an extended flowering season and piquant fragrance, catmints attract lots of pollinators and deter deer.
—Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for piquant
Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
The sauce is a piquant blend of tomato and vinegar that complements the pork shoulder.
—Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2025
But none of these things feels piquant in this production.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2025
In addition to an extended flowering season and piquant fragrance, catmints attract lots of pollinators and deter deer.
—Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for piquant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piquant
Adjective
-
Both of our children were a week past their due dates...so when spicy food, all that walking, and acupuncture didn't work - there was only one thing left to do!—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
-
Some Asian ingredients include spicy xo sauce, Japanese snow crab and A5 Miyazaki Gyu, a top-grade Japanese wagyu beef.—
Samantha Husted,
Charlotte Observer,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
Flowers are violet in color and can be used as garnishes, while leaves can be chopped and served as pungent seasoning in the manner of scallions and garlic greens.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
9 May 2025
-
Mount Dora study IDs likely source of pungent mystery smell Politics US sends 68 migrants back to Honduras and Colombia in first voluntary deportation The migrants disembarked with $1,000 debit cards from the U.S. government.—
South Florida Sun Sentinel,
Sun Sentinel,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
After a mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Obama gave a poignant speech and called for an assault-weapons ban, which didn’t pass; after a mass shooting at two mosques in Christchurch, Ardern gave a poignant speech and called for an assault-weapons ban, which did.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
-
Today, the heath hen serves as a poignant reminder: even a species that seems secure can vanish within the span of a human lifetime.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
Berry tarts and zesty lemon cookies amplify the lemonade’s freshness without overpowering it.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 June 2025
-
There’s much talk about preparation, experimentation and the ways that Matsuhisa broke new ground, blending zesty Peruvian ingredients with otherwise rigid Japanese cuisine.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
Willem Dafoe as Rat in Fantastic Mr. Fox Willem Dafoe has delicious fun voicing Rat, the sinister security guard who menaces Fox and his cohorts.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
12 June 2025
-
The Five-Star Weekend centers on Hollis Shaw (Garner), a famed food influencer known for her delicious recipes, impeccable taste, and warm demeanor, who suffers a devastating loss.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
11 June 2025
Adjective
-
Gluten-free pastries, hearty frittatas, and savory sandwiches will help fuel your day.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
17 June 2025
-
Eggs Eggs are easy to digest and are a staple for baking and savory dishes, says VanHoose.—
Karla Walsh,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
16 June 2025
Adjective
-
Preserved anchovies are much saltier than sardines, so they’re usually eaten in smaller quantities or used to enhance other flavors.—
Helen Carefoot,
Verywell Health,
6 June 2025
-
This is a completely new spin on the potluck classic, with a sweet and salty peanut sauce that keeps that creamy texture while giving the vegetables a boost of umami.—
Erin Hooker,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Piquant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piquant. Accessed 25 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share