1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

astringent

adjective

Definition of astringentnext
as in puckery

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of astringent Its drying, astringent nature can strip away finishes, leaving wood dull, dry, and more prone to scratches. — Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 23 June 2026 Toners have earned a bad rap over the years for being astringent formulas that sting, strip, and dry out your skin. — Sarah Felbin, Allure, 23 May 2026 The dish is both sweet and astringent, and the judges think the dish needed a sauce to bring everything together. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 12 May 2026 The seeds and surrounding juices inside uncooked tomatoes can be slightly bitter and astringent, so squeeze them out before chopping the flesh (this also prevents the sauce from getting too watery). — Claire Saffitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for astringent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for astringent
  1. puckery
  2. pungent
  3. tangy
  4. zingy
  5. zesty
Adjective
  • As the base for a marinade and grilling sauce, passion fruit's puckery tartness—think mango and pineapple with a slightly sour kick—is an ideal complement to rich, buttery shellfish.
    — Sheena Chihak, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Nov. 2022
  • Their recipe combines silky texture, puckery tartness and richness (courtesy of olive oil) in every bite.
    — Ben MimsCooking Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2022
Definition of puckery
Adjective
  • Top it all with sharp cheddar, Romaine lettuce and garlic mayo for a hearty sandwich full of pungent, salty flavors.
    — Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Those perfectly pungent elements rip through the savory pastrami perfectly, infusing every bite with a slightly prickly tang.
    — Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of pungent
Adjective
  • The waffle was crisp around the edges and fluffy inside, with the juicy peaches and cream cheese adding a sweet, tangy richness.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 16 Sep. 2026
  • This hearty meal for two, with no cooking required, is made of a mountain of radicchio, iceberg, red onion, halved cherry tomatoes, salami, provolone cheese and chickpeas and tossed in a tangy red wine oregano vinaigrette.
    — Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of tangy
Adjective
  • Be sure to order a side of the crispy potatoes and the zingy herb salad.
    — Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Meanwhile, an electric color palette of zingy greens, bold reds, and Prussian blues–touched off with plenty of black accents–amplifies the property’s wildly original juxtaposition of antiquity and modernity.
    — Alexandra Kirkman, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of zingy
Adjective
  • Juicy heirloom tomatoes, garlic, briny olives, bright vinegar, and fresh herbs come together in a delicious, zesty sauce.
    — Maddy Bendgen, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Creole mustard is a zesty mix of coarsely ground brown mustard seeds, vinegar, and in some cases, spices such as paprika and cayenne.
    — Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of zesty

Browse Nearby Words

astray
astringent
astrologer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Astringent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astringent. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on astringent

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about astringent

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18
See More

Popular

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
crayons-in-a-circle
Guess the Color Quiz Questions that use the whole box of crayons.
See All