pungency

pungency

noun

Definition of PUNGENCY

1

a harsh or sharp quality <the pungency of the vinegar gives the salad dressing the kick that it needs>

Synonyms acerbity, acidity, acidness, acridity, acridness, acrimoniousness, acrimony, acuteness, asperity, bite, bitterness, harshness, keenness, poignance, poignancy, pungency, roughness, sharpness, tartness

Related Words ginger, punch, spice, tang; raucousness, severeness, severity, shrillness, virulence, vitriol; cattiness, maliciousness; pointedness, thorniness

Near Antonyms gentleness, kindliness

Antonyms mildness, softness

2

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>

Synonyms nip, pungency, spice, tang, zest, zing

Related Words raciness, spiciness; fieriness, hotness; acuteness, keenness, sharpness; provocativeness; excitement, invigoration, stimulant, stimulation, stimulus, thrill; bitterness, mordance, trenchancy; flavor, redolence, savor (also savour), savoriness, tastiness

Near Antonyms flatness, tastelessness; dullness (also dulness), insipidity, monotonousness, monotony, platitude, predictability, sameness, tediousness; blandness, thinness, weakness

Antonyms insipidity