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 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 Tannins, which are compounds in wine present in grape seeds, grape skins, and oak barrels offer a drying or astringent quality on the tongue and gums. — Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 26 Feb. 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
  • When a radish is cut, bitten, or crushed, its cells are damaged, triggering an enzyme called myrosinase to break down the glucosinolates into various metabolites, including pungent compounds known as isothiocyanates.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The pungent smells of pot smoke and someone else’s urine compete with the dank smell of the canal.
    — Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of pungent
Adjective
  • Held at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta from August 26–30, the PGA TOUR season finale, the TOUR Championship, will debut the Fuzzy Peach, a sweet and tangy vodka concoction that pays homage to Georgia’s iconic fruit, as its official cocktail.
    — Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The tacos feature za’atar rubbed swordfish kissed by a wood-burning grill, dabbed with tangy pools of labne and a salsa arabe, similar to harissa.
    — The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of tangy
Adjective
  • 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
  • That texture was complemented by balanced sweetness and acidity and a zingy punch of garlic.
    — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of zingy
Adjective
  • 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
  • Inspired by delicious hot-weather dishes, Japanese hiyayakko and Sichuan liangban tofu, this cold tofu dish features a zesty dressing comprising soy sauce, chili crisp, and an abundance of scallions for freshness.
    — Hana Asbrink, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 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 29 Aug. 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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of kith

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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

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

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 28

Why do we say 'break a leg'?
See More

Popular

See More

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

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
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
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All