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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective racy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of racy are piquant, poignant, and pungent. While all these words mean "sharp and stimulating to the mind or the senses," racy implies having a strongly characteristic natural quality fresh and unimpaired.

spontaneous, racy prose

When might piquant be a better fit than racy?

While in some cases nearly identical to racy, piquant suggests a power to whet the appetite or interest through tartness or mild pungency.

a piquant sauce

In what contexts can poignant take the place of racy?

The synonyms poignant and racy are sometimes interchangeable, but poignant suggests something is sharply or piercingly effective in stirring one's emotions.

felt a poignant sense of loss

Where would pungent be a reasonable alternative to racy?

While the synonyms pungent and racy are close in meaning, pungent implies a sharp, stinging, or biting quality especially of odors.

a cheese with a pungent odor

Examples 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 racy Christina Aguilera also paid homage to the Goddess of Pop for Halloween 2023, posting a racy reel to her Instagram. Toria Sheffield, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024 Perfect for a late night or a secret daytime escape, mischief has no bounds when you’re enveloped in this racy aroma. Dahvi Shira, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024 Turbine Skull steel case/blue version, $5,000; Turbine Skull black PVD steel case/black version, $5,250. Learn More Photo : TAG Heuer TAG Heuer: Monaco Chronograph Racing Green TAG Heuer just gave the Monaco Chronograph a racy update. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2024 Below, Lila Grace’s momma, Kate Moss, upholds the racy see-through move in a tulle dress, but tops it with a fine, formal non-see-through black blazer. Guy Martin, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for racy 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for racy
Adjective
  • With a friendly and gentle temperament, the vizsla is well suited to lively households and enjoys participating in various dog sports and outdoor activities.
    Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Meanwhile, Louis Vuitton set up a lively 11-minute conversation between its fashion director and actress Emma Stone — nabbing a 20% higher watch time than the industry average.
    Anne Marie Nelson-Bogle, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Then there are the darker, spicier vanillas, with hints of tobacco or amber, offering a more sultry, sophisticated vibe.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2024
  • Bright and fruity with plenty of herbs and juniper essence and an almost spicy zip on the palate.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, this stage musical is bedecked for the holidays.
    Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 1 Dec. 2024
  • Moana 2 splashed into theaters on Nov. 27, and viewers are already eager to know when the animated prequel will be available on Disney+.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Police say the man kept asking the girl suggestive questions, asked for photographs and sent some of himself.
    Ron Wood, arkansasonline.com, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Their spinsterhood took on an ominous cast, their celibacy no longer evidence of pure, Christian love, but now suggestive of physical, emotional, and intellectual degeneracy.
    Natalie Kinkade, JSTOR Daily, 25 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • This adaptation is especially significant given the energetic limitations of the deep sea; by luring prey rather than actively hunting, the anglerfish minimizes energy expenditure—a critical advantage in a resource-scarce ecosystem.
    Scott Travers, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
  • Bleachers, the energetic pop band led by Taylor Swift producer Jack Antonoff, played Connecticut a few months ago at the Soundside Festival in Bridgeport, joining that festival when Queens of the Stone Age had to drop off the bill.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Despite not having the silicone tips that fully block out noise, the pair of earbuds still demonstrates active noise cancellation.
    Casey Clark, People.com, 2 Dec. 2024
  • This type of garlic preparation has more active antioxidants, which prevent cell damage, than fresh garlic.10 A 90-day clinical trial demonstrated that the people in the study who took the extract had less severe symptoms than those who didn't.
    Nancy LeBrun, Verywell Health, 2 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Does Humanity weep at these painful separations from everything, animate and inanimate, with which the young heart has become entwined?
    Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 27 Sep. 2024
  • The same themes animate Cusk’s nonfiction from this period.
    Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 28 June 2024
Adjective
  • On Tuesday, December 10, the duo was spotted out for a brisk walk in New York City together.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
  • In fact, Belmond’s Champenois says its trains do a brisk business of full buyouts, so the dedicated coach is perhaps icing on the cake.
    Doug Gollan, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near racy

Cite this Entry

“Racy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/racy. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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