1
as in bitterness
a harsh or sharp quality
the pungency of the vinegar gives the salad dressing the kick that it needs
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2
as in spice
the quality or state of being stimulating to the mind or senses
theatergoers have long delighted in the pungency and wit of the play's dialogue
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Recent Examples of pungency
Leaving the pulp and skin in place give black peppercorns their pungency as opposed to white pepper, whose surrounding pulp and skins have been removed, imparting a milder flavor to this spice.
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Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 20 Apr. 2024
Shallot: Offers allium punch, Black pepper: Brings bright pungency and a bit of heat.
—Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 6 Apr. 2024
Extra Limey Guacamole This guacamole packs a punch of zesty lime that not only eases the pungency of the raw red onions but also keeps the dip bright green well after half-time ... if there is any left.
—Sarah Mosqueda, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2024
Today, chili pungency is measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), a method that measures the capsaicin concentration directly.
—Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Oct. 2023
See all Example Sentences for pungency 
Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 20 Apr. 2024
Shallot: Offers allium punch, Black pepper: Brings bright pungency and a bit of heat.
—Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 6 Apr. 2024
Extra Limey Guacamole This guacamole packs a punch of zesty lime that not only eases the pungency of the raw red onions but also keeps the dip bright green well after half-time ... if there is any left.
—Sarah Mosqueda, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2024
Today, chili pungency is measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), a method that measures the capsaicin concentration directly.
—Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Oct. 2023
See all Example Sentences for pungency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pungency
Noun
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Try oatmeal: Cold in overnight oats Hot in baked oatmeal Added to muffins and other baked goods Blended and used as breadcrumbs and protein bites Oatmeal is warm and comforting when prepared with cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice.Karina Tolentino, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2024
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In the finish, these sturdy tasting notes split open to reveal sandalwood spice that lingers for several beats.Brad Japhe, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The goal is to achieve a juicy look, characterized by an imprecise and slightly smudged application, reminiscent of the resulting lip tint after taking a bite of fruit.Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024
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Light bites accompany the tasting, enhancing the experience.Shivani Vora, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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Greg Alder has had great success growing raspberries on the eastern edge of large trees.Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 14 Nov. 2024
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Ribbons marked the edge of the area that will be logged.April Ehrlich, ProPublica, 12 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Mayonnaise: Brings a creamy tang to the base of the lemony sauce.Amanda Stanfield, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2024
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The homemade Buttermilk-Parmesan dressing provides the perfect tang to balance the smoky bacon and buttery croutons.Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2024
Noun
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This results in wines with bright acidity and complex flavor profiles that genuinely express the land.Noel Burgess, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
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Buy Now: $55 Acumen 2021 Peak Cabernet Franc Atlas Peak Napa Valley California Grapes growing in Acumen’s Atlas Peak vineyards generally experience temperatures that are five to 10 degrees cooler than the valley floor, which imparts a pronounced sense of freshness and balanced acidity.Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Their 2022 is delightful with a nose of lemongrass, lemon zest, honeydew melon, and a touch of saline.Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2024
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It’s made with notes of fresh eucalyptus, spearmint, lemon zest, and clary sage that transform my space into a relaxation zone.Allure, Allure, 2 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Here, an excess of material diminishes the film’s humor and poignancy, though many of the story’s characters are colorful enough, when they aren’t written too artificially.Tomris Laffly, Variety, 18 Oct. 2024
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Payne’s memory of the encounter, of course, takes on new meaning and poignancy in the wake of his sudden and shocking death Wednesday in Argentina.Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near pungency
Cite this Entry
“Pungency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pungency. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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