pungent

adjective

pun·​gent ˈpən-jənt How to pronounce pungent (audio)
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
pungently adverb

Did you know?

Things described as "pungent"—be they on the plate or on the page—have a bite to them, just as the word's Latin forbear suggests: the verb pungere means "to prick or sting." Some early uses of pungent described things that literally pricked, and the word is still used this way in the biological sciences for such purposes as identifying fish with pungent dorsal fins or plants (such as holly) with pungent leaves. But most often we reserve pungent for flavors and scents that don’t actually pierce or poke us, even if they result in similar sensations—which many people enjoy! The word is also frequently applied to verbal prickings, in which sharp and incisive language brings a biting quality to satires, critiques, and the like. Not to put too fine a point on it, but we think pungent really cuts the mustard as an evocative word choice.

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of pungent in a Sentence

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
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
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
a play with pungent dialogue a pungent satire of current politics
Recent Examples on the Web Inside the package were six black and brown gummy bears with the pungent odor. Benjamin Adams, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 Wasabi also has enzymes known as glucosinolates, which break down and give the condiment an especially pungent taste. Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 2 Feb. 2024 When fresh, habaneros have a crisp and pungent taste as well as a watery crunch. Pati Jinich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2024 For decades, college students have found ways to mask the pungent aroma of marijuana smoke on campuses. Joshua Needelman, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2024 Perhaps the most intriguing – certainly the most pungent – offering is the Cheese Cave, the kind of place that seemingly can thrive only in a college town. Sam McManis, Sacramento Bee, 25 Jan. 2024 Turns out, the moon's odor is reminiscent of gunpowder and some comets give off the pungent aroma of urine. Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 11 Jan. 2024 Again, the additions signal a creative flex without diminishing the pungent, mulchy savor of the za’atar or the bread’s tangy warmth. Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2024 The grease-free mound is so light it practically levitates, and the fluffy white grains are scattered with pungent cilantro and what look like wood shavings (dry tofu floss) for delightful contrast. Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 19 Jan. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pungent was in 1598

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Dictionary Entries Near pungent

Cite this Entry

“Pungent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pungent. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pungent

adjective
pun·​gent ˈpən-jənt How to pronounce pungent (audio)
1
: sharply exciting to the mind
pungent criticism
pungent wit
2
: causing a sharp or irritating sensation
especially : sharp or harsh to the sense of taste or smell
pungently adverb

Medical Definition

pungent

adjective
pun·​gent -jənt How to pronounce pungent (audio)
: causing a sharp or irritating sensation
especially : acrid
pungently adverb

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