as in spicy
sharp and pleasantly stimulating to the mind or senses
a piquant tidbit of information about the new neighbors the piquant cuisine of India boasts some highly spiced dishes
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Recent Examples of piquant
This technique involves high-heat oven roasting, which deepens the tomato flavor, softens the onions and garlic, and imparts a subtle smoky note, resulting in a vibrant and piquant salsa.
—
Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2025
From plates of Jamon Iberico and piquant tomato salads to fresh sea bass and succulent steaks, the vibe here harnesses a hyper-local sensibility that roots you in the destination.
—Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
It’s slicked with tomato and distinguished by a piquant sweet and sour sauce (or agrodolce), studded with sharp, briny olives and capers, and sweetened with raisins and honey.
—Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 22 July 2025
Or hamachi crudo in a piquant blend of fish sauce, lime juice, and peach.
—Lia Picard, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for piquant
Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2025
From plates of Jamon Iberico and piquant tomato salads to fresh sea bass and succulent steaks, the vibe here harnesses a hyper-local sensibility that roots you in the destination.
—Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
It’s slicked with tomato and distinguished by a piquant sweet and sour sauce (or agrodolce), studded with sharp, briny olives and capers, and sweetened with raisins and honey.
—Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 22 July 2025
Or hamachi crudo in a piquant blend of fish sauce, lime juice, and peach.
—Lia Picard, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for piquant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piquant
Adjective
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Eragon has a different approach altogether with its spicy amber profile.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
6 Nov. 2025
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Dishes include banana bread pudding or spinach frittata with goat's cheese for breakfast and pork shoulder with figs, or Orecchiette with spicy vodka sauce for lunch and dinner.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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At the cocktail bar Muamba, owner Yvens Penna brightens a classic margarita with homemade chicória soda crafted from a pungent local herb that tastes like cilantro on steroids.—
Michael Snyder,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
-
To keep pungent grease smells at bay, plan to thoroughly clean your range hood, specifically the vent, every 3 to 6 months.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Even more poignant, however, is the Rosemary's Baby angle, where the innocence of childhood is drowned in blood and the notion that a young person reared in a loving environment should develop into a compassionate adult is perverted into unthinkable horror.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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One of the hits of this year’s Cannes Film Festival, helmer Hadi’s poignant feature debut follows an impoverished girl living with her grandmother in the Mesopotamian marshes during the Saddam Hussein regime.—
Alissa Simon,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The menu includes zesty shrimp tacos, creamy crab croquette, wagyu gyoza, back tiger shrimp dumplings, festive garden spring rolls and unagi avocado sushi with Japanese peppercorn.—
Gege Reed,
Louisville Courier Journal,
4 Nov. 2025
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While 'tis the season for pumpkin spice everything, warming cinnamon and apple, and zesty cranberry, Coca-Cola is going its own way.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Some even suggested delicious baking uses for the new treats.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
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Includes gardening tips to grow perfect perennials and chiles for every palate, plus articles on delicious Ukrainian food dishes and Christmas family traditions, banana recipe contest winners and practical life advice.—
Alex Perry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The rest of the lineup is inspired by Thanksgiving with more savory references like Turkey & Stuffing, Sweet Potato, Creamed Corn and Cranberry Sauce.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
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Shallots and garlic add a mild, savory bite that deepens the flavor without overpowering.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Shirley Valentine serves as an escape for those who envision a life more exciting, a fact to which Collins attributed its success.—
Lisa de los Reyes,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
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Surveying the broader landscape of AI benchmarks, Mahdi said researchers and developers have many exciting avenues to explore.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Highly active world Enceladus is a highly active world, with a global, salty sub-surface ocean, believed to be the source of its heat.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
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The fries are savory, salty and extra crunchy, and the spice level is fairly high.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Piquant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piquant. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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