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
Rescuers even tried pumping a pungent banana oil down into the cave, hoping to find another viable entrance above ground.
—
Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
Each bite leaves a pungent sheen of olive oil upon your lips, a sort of true love’s kiss for people who really get down with cold cuts.
—Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Law enforcement has uncovered everything from cocaine hidden among bananas to heroin stashed among pungent shipments of garlic and onions.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 2 July 2025
The cloves should be golden, tender, and more sweet than pungent, similar to when they are roasted.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pungent
Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
Each bite leaves a pungent sheen of olive oil upon your lips, a sort of true love’s kiss for people who really get down with cold cuts.
—Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Law enforcement has uncovered everything from cocaine hidden among bananas to heroin stashed among pungent shipments of garlic and onions.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 2 July 2025
The cloves should be golden, tender, and more sweet than pungent, similar to when they are roasted.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pungent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pungent
Adjective
-
Popeyes Offers for Popeyes reward members include a free six-piece purchase with any $5 purchase and free six-piece spicy bone-in wings with the purchase of any wing order.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
29 July 2025
-
That's right — after a full season of Hot Topics, spicy cohost clashes, high-profile political guests, and even courting pointed responses from the White House, The View talk show stars have gone off the air for the year.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
28 July 2025
Adjective
-
From plates of Jamon Iberico and piquant tomato salads to fresh sea bass and succulent steaks, the vibe here harnesses a hyper-local sensibility that roots you in the destination.—
Angelina Villa-Clarke,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
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My favorite dish here was a piquant ceviche served with tortilla chips.—
Kristin Braswell,
Travel + Leisure,
7 June 2025
Adjective
-
The star of the recipe is a tangy balsamic vinegar reduction swirled in at the end of the churning process.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 July 2025
-
The finish is long and tight with lingering notes of lemon and a tangy, wet stone minerality.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
Adjective
-
The poem is part love quest, part account of Italy’s battles; in places profoundly serious, in places satiric.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
11 June 2025
-
Neither damning nor satiric, W. is oddly wistful, almost regretful — rare sentiments in a Stone film.—
Will Leitch,
Vulture,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Ritson sees a poignant connection between the big developments in Oscar’s life this episode.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
28 July 2025
-
This episode is particularly poignant in light of the current assault against the Department of Education.—
Memoir Nation
July 28,
Literary Hub,
28 July 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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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And as trade speculation has risen, Harris reported a sarcastic one-word retort from the pitcher.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 July 2025
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Before Black millennial shorthand even existed, there was Maxine Shaw, Attorney at Law—fiercely ambitious, sarcastic, soft in all the right places—and unapologetically Black.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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And the vistas of sea and cityscape are as delicious as the food.—
Jeryl Brunner,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
-
Try cream of coconut in place of heavy whipping cream for a subtle, but delicious, coconut flavor.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pungent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pungent. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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