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
Within an hour of arriving, a familiar, piquant aroma wafted from the kitchen.
—
Cleyvis Natera, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 July 2025
Or hamachi crudo in a piquant blend of fish sauce, lime juice, and peach.
—Lia Picard, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2025
The brand contacts bartender Simon Difford for help with an original launch cocktail, and Difford immediately recognizes the capacity of St-Germain to complement the piquant fruit, floral, and mineral qualities in white wine.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 10 May 2025
And to think, this pitiless conquistador came to North America as a humble kitchen herb, deliberately imported by European settlers for its piquant flavor.
—Zoë Lescaze, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for piquant
Cleyvis Natera, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 July 2025
Or hamachi crudo in a piquant blend of fish sauce, lime juice, and peach.
—Lia Picard, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2025
The brand contacts bartender Simon Difford for help with an original launch cocktail, and Difford immediately recognizes the capacity of St-Germain to complement the piquant fruit, floral, and mineral qualities in white wine.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 10 May 2025
And to think, this pitiless conquistador came to North America as a humble kitchen herb, deliberately imported by European settlers for its piquant flavor.
—Zoë Lescaze, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for piquant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piquant
Adjective
-
The shrimp dumplings are satisfyingly spicy and plump, and the beef noodle soup is comforting and well-balanced, with tender beef brisket chunks.—
Shindy Chen,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
-
That settles into a spicy suede with cardamom and benzoin, before warming into tonka bean, amber, and musk.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In addition to security concerns, Sun Fresh spent a significant amount of time and resources working to locate a pungent sewage smell many customers complained about.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Unrefined coconut oil has a more pungent coconut smell and flavor.—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
One of the most poignant choices is to intercut scratchy film of the train that in 1921 transported the Unknown Soldier to Rome in a coffin draped with patriotic banners and flowers, to be enshrined in the Altar of the Fatherland with an eternal flame at the Vittorio Emanuele II monument.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Sep. 2025
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Pitted against the unforgettably evil Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher), a sadist who drugs and abuses the unlucky patients in her care, McMurphy’s stand against the oppressive powers that be is tragic and poignant and spoke to the spirit of a time in which so many felt misunderstood.—
Christina Newland,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Use them to create a zesty and fresh pasta salad perfect for all sorts of Labor Day celebrations.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
24 Aug. 2025
-
The chicken used here is shredded and has a good kick of spice, though, and that’s offset by a smooth cheese sauce, pico de gallo and a zesty lime crema sauce.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The food is basically pescatarian, beautifully presented and incredibly delicious.—
Sherrie Nachman,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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This powder comes in a few delicious flavors—unflavored, strawberry lemon, vanilla, and chocolate—and is packed with vitamin C, which can support collagen synthesis to further boost effectiveness, according to Fazio.—
Brianna Peters,
Vogue,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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These crunchy, savory hush puppies are a perfect summertime starter.—
Phoebe Evans,
Southern Living,
28 Aug. 2025
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The sweet and savory combo will roll out nationwide starting in September while supplies last.—
Alex Perry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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That is particularly true for organisms that live in very unusual settings like deep sea heat vents or in extremely salty water or soils.—
Steven Savage,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Rodgers, still salty about how his two-year tenure ended in New York after he was told by new coach Aaron Glenn in February that the team was moving on, was excellent in his Pittsburgh debut.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Piquant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piquant. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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