as in spice
the quality or state of being stimulating to the mind or senses
a talk show host known for the quickness and piquancy of his wit I appreciated the piquancy of the peppers in the sauce
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Recent Examples of piquancy
And a jicama salad is my personal favorite, balancing heat in piquancy and chill in temperature.
—
Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 1 Apr. 2025
The most notable part of this gag was not the joke itself, a standard late-night quip delivered with appropriate piquancy.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2025
The key to its flavor is a balance of sweet, spice, piquancy and heat, which creates a balanced and addictive bite.
—Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 17 June 2024
While there are pops of piquancy in Landon’s script, her direction and the performances (with the exception of Woodard) fail to inspire much more than a shrug.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for piquancy
Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 1 Apr. 2025
The most notable part of this gag was not the joke itself, a standard late-night quip delivered with appropriate piquancy.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2025
The key to its flavor is a balance of sweet, spice, piquancy and heat, which creates a balanced and addictive bite.
—Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 17 June 2024
While there are pops of piquancy in Landon’s script, her direction and the performances (with the exception of Woodard) fail to inspire much more than a shrug.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for piquancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piquancy
Noun
-
While the through note on these stellar wines was red- and black-berry flavors with opulent tannins and touches of spice, earth, and dark chocolate, each wine was distinct and reflective of its season.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
31 May 2026
-
Expect rose, lychee, candied orange peel, and a quiet Mizunara spice on the finish.—
Paul Caputo,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
The nose offers aromas of caramel, vanilla, and toffee, set against a pronounced baking spice, citrus zest, and an herbal-minty rye character.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
Garnish with lemon zest and Parmesan cheese.—
Katlyn Moncada,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Piquancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piquancy. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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