as in spice
the quality or state of being stimulating to the mind or senses
a talk show host known for the quickness and piquancy of his wit I appreciated the piquancy of the peppers in the sauce
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Recent Examples of piquancy
That Mann himself had written stories on gay themes added to the piquancy of the encounter.
—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
The most notable part of this gag was not the joke itself, a standard late-night quip delivered with appropriate piquancy.
—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2025
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
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
See All Example Sentences for piquancy
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
The most notable part of this gag was not the joke itself, a standard late-night quip delivered with appropriate piquancy.
—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2025
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
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
See All Example Sentences for piquancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piquancy
Noun
-
The word entered English during British rule in India and was later extended to mean a hot alcoholic drink, especially one mixed with spirits, hot water, sugar, and spices.
-
Chili powder, cumin, and cayenne give it the signature chili spice (leave out the cayenne for a milder version) while Worcestershire and tomato sauce provide savoriness.
Noun
-
In a food processor or blender, combine garlic, shallots, olive oil, parsley, dill, capers, basil, lemon zest and juice.
-
Some gingerbread has been served with lemon sauce, or incorporated the zest of an orange or a little cocoa.
Cite this Entry
“Piquancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piquancy. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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