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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pungent
Up to 20,000 admirers have filed past for a moment in her increasingly pungent presence.
—
Max Butterworth, NBC News, 23 Jan. 2025
The pungent scents of essential oils like peppermint, tea tree, and cedar help naturally repel silverfish.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2025
The book features some of the standard fare of the mystery: There are bodies and clues, suspects and investigations, a pungent sense of fear and unease.
—Katie Kitamura, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
In the background, slushie machines started to whirr, and a pungent vat of oil sizzled.
—Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pungent
Max Butterworth, NBC News, 23 Jan. 2025
The pungent scents of essential oils like peppermint, tea tree, and cedar help naturally repel silverfish.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2025
The book features some of the standard fare of the mystery: There are bodies and clues, suspects and investigations, a pungent sense of fear and unease.
—Katie Kitamura, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
In the background, slushie machines started to whirr, and a pungent vat of oil sizzled.
—Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pungent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pungent
Adjective
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Their Small Batch Bourbon has received accolades for its smooth yet spicy character.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
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The handful of flavor choices includes lemon and pistachio, which pair perfectly to cool off the spicy selections in your meal.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Mar. 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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Pineapple casserole is the ultimate sweet-meets-savory dish, doubling as both a tangy side tish and a buttery dessert.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Sticky Honey-Soy Chicken Legs Bone-in, skin-on chicken legs glossed in a sticky honey mustard glaze strike the perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and delightfully savory.—
Jennifer Hope Choi,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Mar. 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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The most poignant partnership will come from Ovi’s own wallet.—
Jason Clinkscales,
Sportico.com,
17 Mar. 2025
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His art is a record of memory, now rendered even more poignant in exile.—
Omnia Saed,
ARTnews.com,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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These behaviors may include: Making sarcastic or pointed remarks.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
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His character is written as sharp-minded, witty, and sarcastic, according to the filmmakers.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Thanks to its unique design, the Dutch oven’s lid doubles as a 10.25-inch cast-iron skillet that can easily be used to make your favorite cornbread, delicious cobblers, hot dips for parties, and much more.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
19 Mar. 2025
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Indulge in delicious cuisine and beverages, all while immersing yourself in the evening’s thrilling theme.—
Joe Rassel,
Orlando Sentinel,
19 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pungent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pungent. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
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