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
Cosplay furthers the cause with a dazzling array of comic pop culture references, repurposed arcana, and piquant sonic signifiers from the annals of indie-rock.
—
Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 7 Nov. 2025
Try the Mezzrole, a piquant blend of French limes, Pickett’s spicy-sweet ginger syrup, and tart rice vinegar that finishes with notes of sea salt.
—Chala June, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025
The spicy Korean burger is for the more adventurous among us, but the piquant pickled slaw on top is super addictive.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 22 Oct. 2025
The tequila daisy cocktail, served in a clay cantarito cup smudged with sumac salt, is piquant with ancho verde, mellowed with summer strawberry.
—Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for piquant
Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 7 Nov. 2025
Try the Mezzrole, a piquant blend of French limes, Pickett’s spicy-sweet ginger syrup, and tart rice vinegar that finishes with notes of sea salt.
—Chala June, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025
The spicy Korean burger is for the more adventurous among us, but the piquant pickled slaw on top is super addictive.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 22 Oct. 2025
The tequila daisy cocktail, served in a clay cantarito cup smudged with sumac salt, is piquant with ancho verde, mellowed with summer strawberry.
—Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for piquant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piquant
Adjective
-
Entrees at The Gibson include short rib, salmon, spicy tagliatelle with shrimp and a pork chop.—
Sarah Blaskovich,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Like most sushi restaurants in the city, there is spicy tuna and crispy rice on the menu, but this one is really good.—
Jocelyn Silver,
Vogue,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Most of us know licorice for its sweet, pungent flavor in candy and beverages—or, perhaps, as a soothing remedy for heartburn and tummy trouble.—
Beatrice Zocchi,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2026
-
No suspicious whine in the air, no burning of pungent oils to put off biters.—
Antonia Quirke,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The documentary includes footage of Seinfeld joining those dinners, and an especially poignant segment in which Brooks recalls being present when Reiner died in 2020.—
Stephen Silver,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Making this closing chapter all the more poignant is the recent passing of fest founder and indie film pioneer Robert Redford, who transformed Park City into a global cultural destination.—
Elycia Rubin,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Its blend of grapefruit, lemon, and orange packs a zesty punch, while the jasmine base note adds a delicate, soft undertone.—
Alyssa Morin,
InStyle,
22 Jan. 2026
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As part of the hotel redesign, the pool area is now a zesty terracotta and the pool tiles are a gorgeous viridian that mimics the sea below.—
Matt Ortile,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This recipe is best served warm, as the chocolate will start to set up as the hot chocolate cools, which won't be as delicious to drink.—
Heather Riske,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Save some room for the brown butter almond cake at the end, which sounds deceptively simple but is the very definition of delicious with whimsical plating and delicious—and complex—flavors.—
Asonta Benetti,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Quinta do Tamariz Grande Reserva, $19 A bottle that proves time can shift Vinho Verde firmly into a more savory, contemplative lane.—
Devin Parr,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Here, crushed tomatoes simmer with cream and grated Parmesan to create a super-fast super-savory sauce for rigatoni.—
Gretchen McKay,
Twin Cities,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Still, one respondent saw that as an exciting opportunity.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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On paper, Paramount+’s debut UFC broadcast Saturday night was meant to usher in an exciting new era for combat sports.—
Chris Lee,
Vulture,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
In Baltimore County freshwater streams, some trout can be harmed by saltier water.—
Cutter Martin,
CBS News,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The former is an Original Glazed doughnut dipped in caramel icing and drizzled with a salty caramel dulce.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Piquant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piquant. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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