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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pungency
Not long ago, the residents of Gowanus, in Brooklyn, began to notice that the smell of their canal, known for its unpleasant odor since the Gilded Age, had reached a new level of pungency.
—
Jake Offenhartz, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2024
Rich, intense, and kissed with the signature pungency of blue cheese, there is nothing quite like a cut of dry-aged beef.
—Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 30 July 2024
The bread’s soft, moist textures contrast with the tiny crunches of cacao nibs, ending with perfect pungency from black cardamom.
—Bahar Anooshahr, The Arizona Republic, 4 June 2024
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.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 20 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pungency 
Jake Offenhartz, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2024
Rich, intense, and kissed with the signature pungency of blue cheese, there is nothing quite like a cut of dry-aged beef.
—Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 30 July 2024
The bread’s soft, moist textures contrast with the tiny crunches of cacao nibs, ending with perfect pungency from black cardamom.
—Bahar Anooshahr, The Arizona Republic, 4 June 2024
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.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 20 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pungency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pungency
Noun
-
The build-your-own breakfast sandwich was my favorite until the last day when a shakshuka redolent with warm spices and jammy tomatoes from Luvohondo's farm graced the menu.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Feb. 2025
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The deepness of oud, leather, and patchouli coupled with the spices and smokiness of incense seamlessly balances and prevents it from becoming too sweet.—
Venus Wong,
refinery29.com,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
That starts with small bites, including his calas, also known as Creole rice fritters, traditionally a sweet breakfast dish served with cafe au lait.—
Louisa Kung Liu Chu,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2025
-
And for a pick-me-up before or after the slopes, the Double Blacks cafe on the lower level serves espresso drinks, spiced ciders, fresh croissants, and small bites.—
Denny Lee,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
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
Noun
-
Thick edges will be thinned, and ingrown toenails will be treated.—
Maxine Lipner,
Verywell Health,
3 Feb. 2025
-
Houston edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. was called for roughing the passer on a third down in the first quarter.—
Jackson Thompson,
Fox News,
2 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Then it all gets tossed with Parmesan for a salty tang.—
Melissa Clark,
New York Times,
22 Jan. 2025
-
The tang of Zing Zang transports me to the crowded confines of my grandmother’s wet bar, where the adults mixed batches of Bloody Mary’s as family slowly trickled in on Christmas Day.—
Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin,
Southern Living,
22 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The palate features a lively acidity with passionfruit flavors, kiwi, and a touch of green pepper.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes,
25 Jan. 2025
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Key Ingredients in Arkansas Heavenly Tomato Cake Most of this ingredient list is baking essentials, but a few things are specific to this special recipe: Dutch-process cocoa blend: This cocoa has less acidity thus less natural bitterness.—
Jasmine Smith,
Southern Living,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Fresh lemon zest and black pepper lighten up the cheesy dip and the base is made from both cream cheese and feta.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Feb. 2025
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Your creativity, zest and desire for life are at a pinnacle.—
Georgia Nicols,
The Denver Post,
1 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Eternal Father Ömer Sami trained a camera on a cable technician in northern England and let the poignancy fly.—
Steven Zeitchik,
The Hollywood Reporter,
7 Jan. 2025
-
Passion, poignancy, ecstasy, agony and a Tic Tac ad Best game Everton 2-0 Liverpool, of course.—
Patrick Boyland,
The Athletic,
30 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near pungency
Cite this Entry
“Pungency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pungency. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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