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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This venue is open 24 hours a day with a menu of complimentary bar snacks like pretzel bites with spicy mustard, bowls of chili and burgers.—
Ramsey Qubein,
Forbes.com,
30 Mar. 2025
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Fiery chili-crisp pasta, spicy cocoa shrimp, beef mala hot pot, and more tingle-inducing recipes.—
Carly Westerfield,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
29 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
-
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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At that second, a song about anime boobs had never sounded sweeter and more poignant.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
28 Mar. 2025
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The Great Unravelling For that reason, my visit with Nye was also poignant.—
Penny Abeywardena,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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Always down to gossip and party, Redmond exudes Gemini's energy through his zesty and sarcastic attitude.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
31 Mar. 2025
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This is not just a sarcastic take but a practical one.—
Jaron Lanier,
The New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Enjoy a delicious lunch, fabulous raffle and listen to New York TImes bestselling author Sarah Penner discuss her new book The Amalfi Curse.Visit www.libraryguildrsf.org or call 858-756-4780 to register.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Apr. 2025
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Makhani and Punjabi curry were absolutely delicious.—
Andrew King,
Axios,
31 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pungent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pungent. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.
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