Definition of piquantnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective piquant contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of piquant are poignant, pungent, and racy. While all these words mean "sharp and stimulating to the mind or the senses," piquant suggests a power to whet the appetite or interest through tartness or mild pungency.

a piquant sauce

In what contexts can poignant take the place of piquant?

Although the words poignant and piquant have much in common, poignant suggests something is sharply or piercingly effective in stirring one's emotions.

felt a poignant sense of loss

When is it sensible to use pungent instead of piquant?

The synonyms pungent and piquant are sometimes interchangeable, but pungent implies a sharp, stinging, or biting quality especially of odors.

a cheese with a pungent odor

When might racy be a better fit than piquant?

The words racy and piquant can be used in similar contexts, but racy implies having a strongly characteristic natural quality fresh and unimpaired.

spontaneous, racy prose

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 piquant Red cabbage, carrots and Tuscan kale form the base, bound together with a piquant balsamic-Dijon vinaigrette. Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2026 The comments section features a piquant blend of solemnity, mortification, tastelessness, and transphobia, which accords with Moreschi’s reception in his lifetime. Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026 Sustained support from the strings gives way to watery ripples and busy chatters, with piquant harmonic implications. Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 2026 It is often topped with crispy and raw onions, slathered with piquant sauces (including rémoulade and sweet brown mustard), and served on a toasted bun. Lauren Breedlove, Travel + Leisure, 16 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for piquant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piquant
Adjective
  • Wild Arugula While standard arugula may be part of many reasonably priced salad mixes, the deliciously spicy, dainty wild arugula fetches premium prices of $4 to $6 for a 5-ounce bunch.
    Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 29 June 2026
  • Modales leans into cold-hardy grapes varieties like blaufränkisch, the spicy Austrian red variety that has become a favorite by-the-glass pour at Ox Bar.
    Anna Lee Iijima, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026
Adjective
  • The club is located in Lancaster County, surrounded by chicken and dairy farms that give off a pungent odor of fermenting feed and manure.
    ABC News, ABC News, 1 July 2026
  • Italian sauvignon blanc offers an alterative that is typically subtler, more textured and less dependent on those pungent aromatics.
    Devin Parr, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • Another child was rescued from the rubble in Venezuela’s La Guaira region, marking a poignant moment at the close of a long and emotionally charged day of crisis response on Saturday.
    Diego Mendoza, CNN Money, 28 June 2026
  • But Van Sant’s imaginative and deeply poignant retelling of Shakespeare’s Henry IV is a pleasure in its own right, its sweetness and gentle touches of surrealism coming together to form a heartbreaking ode to young love.
    Liam Hess, Vogue, 28 June 2026
Adjective
  • Available in black, white, olive green, and a zesty chartreuse hue with subtle floral stitching, the tote is an ideal companion for work commutes, travel days, beach outings, and even as a diaper bag alternative.
    Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 June 2026
  • Made with a base of sparkling wine and zesty Valencia orange juice, this effervescent wine is bright, dry, and refreshing.
    Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • Whip up a big batch of this delicious chicken salad to have ready to go all week.
    Patricia S York, Southern Living, 4 July 2026
  • That includes delicious deals across lots of furniture and home decor, including bedroom pieces, outdoor gems, and ceramics to uplift any area of your home.
    Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 3 July 2026
Adjective
  • Specifically, this is jiángxiāng baijiu, a designation referring to its particular aroma and flavor, which is said to be very savory.
    Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 29 June 2026
  • Others skip the consumer and sell those profiles to advertisers, researchers, or less savory customers, such as identity thieves.
    Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • The result is a chain of polite, yet simultaneously radical buildings with an exciting contour resembling a mountainous landscape – adding ‘bergen’ in De Bergen!
    Bridget Borgobello July 04, New Atlas, 4 July 2026
  • The modern building is an exciting addition to the Fort Worth Cultural District and people are situated in backs around the lobby.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 July 2026
Adjective
  • The 1500 feet-long sculpture, made of 6000 tons of black basalt rock and earth, juts out of the basin and is encrusted with white salt, having been altered over the years by the salty pink water that used to flow there.
    Lara Johnson-Wheeler, Vogue, 3 July 2026
  • The terrain is rocky, with vineyards clinging to steep limestone slopes, simultaneously warmed by the sun and cooled by salty Adriatic breezes.
    Tia Lovisa Moreira, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Piquant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piquant. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on piquant

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