pungent

pun·gent

adjective \ˈpən-jənt\

Definition of PUNGENT

1

: sharply painful

2

: having a stiff and sharp point <pungent leaves>

3

a : marked by a sharp incisive quality : caustic <a pungent critic> <pungent language>

b : being sharp and to the point

4

a : causing a sharp or irritating sensation; especially : acrid

b : having an intense flavor or odor <a pungent chili>

— pun·gent·ly adverb

Examples of PUNGENT

1. a play with pungent dialogue
2. a pungent satire of current politics
3. The left has often complained that what it needs isn't polite speech, but voices as pungent as those on the right. —Jennifer Senior, New York Times Book Review, 24 Sept. 2006
4. I remember the enormous size of that fire and the pungent smell of smoke from the burning chaparral as the flames raced up the slope toward our house. —Tim White, Curious Minds, 2004
5. Maybe what seems pungent to the locals only becomes alarming when sniffed through a giant Western proboscis, but there are some odors in China that make a visit to Bhopal seem like a picnic downwind from the Arpege factory. —P. J. O'Rourke, Holidays in Hell, 1988

Origin of PUNGENT

Latin pungent-, pungens, present participle of pungere to prick, sting; akin to Latin pugnus fist, pugnare to fight, Greek pygmē fist

First Known Use: 1597

Related to PUNGENT

Synonyms

nippy, sharp, strong, tangy

Antonyms

bland, mild, smooth

Related Words

acid, acidic; acrid, bitter, harsh; gingery, hot, peppery, piquant, spicy, tart, zesty, zingy; putrid, rancid, rank, skunky; acute, keen; animating, energizing, exciting, galvanizing, invigorating, provocative; appetizing, delectable, delicious, palatable, toothsome; flavorful, savory (also savoury), tasty; aromatic, redolent

Near Antonyms

aged, mellow, ripe; gentle, soft; flat, flavorless, insipid; savorless, tasteless, zestless; dilute, thin, watery, weak

Synonym Discussion of PUNGENT

pungent, piquant, poignant, racy mean sharp and stimulating to the mind or the senses. pungent implies a sharp, stinging, or biting quality especially of odors <a cheese with a pungent odor>. piquant suggests a power to whet the appetite or interest through tartness or mild pungency <a piquant sauce>. poignant suggests something is sharply or piercingly effective in stirring one's emotions <felt a poignant sense of loss>. racy implies having a strongly characteristic natural quality fresh and unimpaired <spontaneous, racy prose>.

pun·gent

adjective \-jənt\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of PUNGENT

: causing a sharp or irritating sensation; especially : acrid

—pun·gent·ly adverb