pungency

noun

pun·​gen·​cy ˈpən-jən(t)-sē How to pronounce pungency (audio)
: the quality or state of being pungent

Examples of pungency in a Sentence

the pungency of the vinegar gives the salad dressing the kick that it needs theatergoers have long delighted in the pungency and wit of the play's dialogue
Recent Examples on the Web 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 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pungency.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pungency was in 1649

Dictionary Entries Near pungency

Cite this Entry

“Pungency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pungency. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

pungency

noun
pun·​gen·​cy ˈpən-jən-sē How to pronounce pungency (audio)
: the quality or state of being pungent

Medical Definition

pungency

noun
pun·​gen·​cy ˈpən-jən-sē How to pronounce pungency (audio)
plural pungencies
: the quality or state of being pungent

More from Merriam-Webster on pungency

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