1
as in spicy
having a powerfully stimulating odor or flavor
a pungent chili that is not for those with timid taste buds
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2
as in satirical
marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings
a pungent put-down that she will not soon forget
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3
as in piquant
sharp and pleasantly stimulating to the mind or senses
a newspaper columnist known for his pungent observations on everyday life
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Recent Examples of pungent
The spectrum of blue cheeses is wide, from mild, creamy and sweet with no rind to salty, savory and pungent with a natural rind.
—
Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024
The number refers to the five traditional Chinese elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water) and flavors (sweet, bitter, sour, salty, and acrid/pungent), of which five-spice achieves a harmonious balance.
—Sarah Jampel, Bon Appétit, 13 Dec. 2024
The base of the sauce is mustard, but the aioli cuts through its tangy, pungent flavor to create a balanced dijonnaise.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2025
Thailand’s vibrant capital offers a sensory overload of bright colors, pungent odors, eye-popping structures and streets teeming with cars, tuk-tuks and food vendors.
—Isabelle Kliger, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pungent
Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024
The number refers to the five traditional Chinese elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water) and flavors (sweet, bitter, sour, salty, and acrid/pungent), of which five-spice achieves a harmonious balance.
—Sarah Jampel, Bon Appétit, 13 Dec. 2024
The base of the sauce is mustard, but the aioli cuts through its tangy, pungent flavor to create a balanced dijonnaise.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2025
Thailand’s vibrant capital offers a sensory overload of bright colors, pungent odors, eye-popping structures and streets teeming with cars, tuk-tuks and food vendors.
—Isabelle Kliger, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pungent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pungent
Adjective
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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
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News how Shepard reacted to watching her steamy scenes with Brody, 44, in the spicy series.—
Esther Kang,
People.com,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Here, from the February 21, 1925, issue, are some particularly piquant reminders of shows past.—
The New Yorker,
The New Yorker,
7 Feb. 2025
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Their piquant sensitivity and horror have no equal in Millennial literature and journalism, which have become merely, rabidly politicized — so very socialist and anti-American that today’s media throws its hands up at the L.A. conflagration.—
Armond White,
National Review,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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New Mac and Cheese Game Changer: Kraft Flavor Fusions Buffalo Ranch Monterey Jack The beloved combo of ranch and spicy, tangy Buffalo sauce meets mellow Monterey Jack in this shreddable block.—
Katlyn Moncada,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Feb. 2025
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This tangy, creamy spread adds some tartness to this pavlova.—
Martin Sorge,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Misery, a horror movie with a satiric streak, launched Bates’s film stardom.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
21 Feb. 2025
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The real star of the show, though, is not the satiric script or the campy performances, but rather how each character brings their own unique approach to dressing for the corporate ladder.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
18 Feb. 2025
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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According to research from Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit that advocates for gun control, strong gun control laws are correlated with fewer gun deaths.—
Elliot Hughes,
Journal Sentinel,
13 Jan. 2023
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This results in a charge imbalance that builds up an electric field strong enough to trigger flashes of lightning.—
National Geographic,
National Geographic,
13 Jan. 2023
Adjective
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Seinfeld is a Jewish man from New York’s Long Island with a wry and sarcastic sense of humor.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Feb. 2025
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Others lose a sense of trust by the sarcastic digs, eye rolls, interrupting, or belittling.—
Rachel Glik, Contributor,
CNBC,
4 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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Sacramento’s sizable Chinese and Vietnamese populations have culminated in a wealth of dim sum parlors and delicious dives along Stockton Boulevard, but few high-end representations of those cuisines exist in the city core.—
Benjy Egel,
Sacramento Bee,
23 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to pungent
Cite this Entry
“Pungent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pungent. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
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