PIQUANT Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

piquant

adjective

ˈpē-kənt

Definition of piquant

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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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 Like a cousin of pimiento cheese, Cheese slaw is a piquant yet creamy combo of banana peppers, Swiss cheese, and tangy mayo. — Josh Miller, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2026 Conductors often fetishize the opening bars of this opera, their squirmy alternation of silence and piquant dissonance. — Justin Davidson, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for piquant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for piquant

Adjective

The restaurant also makes its own salsas, including roja, verde and a spicier green variety.

— Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
The property collaborated with Nobu and the food is clean and delicious—unsurprisingly, lots of raw fish and produce like spicy microgreens and August-sweet tomatoes grown at Sensei’s hydroponic farm down the road.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of spicy

Adjective

The garlic added a pungent heat, and the tahina a nutty savoriness.

— Cooking Editor, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Many glass cleaners use ammonia to cut through grease and grime, but instead of leaving your appliances polished and shiny, the pungent solution can actually leave a streaky, cloudy sheen on stainless steel.

— Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of pungent

Adjective

The synth melody is poignant through the buds, but the upper vocal harmony and some of the upper-register atmospheric instruments are slightly buried.

— Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
The message became especially poignant that weekend when four service members died in a fire at a military base in Alberta.

— Chantelle Lee, Time, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of poignant

Adjective

The Polaris dazzles with tequila, mezcal, blackberry syrup, and a touch of citrus air foam, while the Hydra balances gin, mastiha, carrot, celery, and a bright, zesty twist of lime.

— Jaclyn DeGiorgio, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Five-Spice Pumpkin Bread This Five-Spice Pumpkin Bread takes a bold twist on the traditional recipe with roasted Autumn Frost squash and a zesty five-spice powder instead of classic pumpkin spice.

— Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of zesty

Adjective

This recipe for double crust apple pie delivers a mix of tart and sweet along with cinnamon that is crispy, delicious and is worth the indulgence.

— Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Refrigerated tortellini is one of the fastest ways to turn plain broth into a satiating, delicious meal.

— Danielle Bouchard, Martha Stewart, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of delicious

Adjective

Customers can choose from a variety of spicy and savory flavors such as garlic Parmesan, Korean BBQ, mango habanero, soy garlic teriyaki and Yangnyeom, a sweet and savory Korean glaze.

— Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026
There are more than 4,200 licensed daycares in Georgia, so surely there is a way to stack them up and compare — or at least weed out the less savory ones.

— Samantha Hogan, AJC.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of savory

Adjective

Perhaps less exciting is the fact her failures are more than just the flawed Edison machine.

— Torie Bosch, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026
The radio series takes in interviews with academic hormone specialists, including the team at Imperial College in London who are conducting some of the most exciting and innovative research in this area.

— Gavin Francis, The New York Review of Books, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of exciting

Adjective

Yet this isn’t about sweet edibles, but rather something molecular, salty — to push candidates outside their comfort zones.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
Lay’s Wavy Milk Chocolate features the brand’s signature ridged potato chips coated in milk chocolate, while Lay’s Wavy Dubai-Style Dark Chocolate combines dark chocolate and pistachios with the salty crunch of potato chips.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of salty

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piquancy

piquant

pique

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“Piquant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piquant. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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