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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 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 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 See All Example Sentences for piquant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for piquant

Adjective

Tender cuts of meat, spicy cucumber salads, and lobster mac and cheese are rich but not overpowering, satisfying but not overly filling, and beautifully presented.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
Such a scent—defined by its brightness, as well as its signature woody and spicy character—is comprised of fresh ginger and cedar notes with the smokiness of vetiver and the roundness of tonka beans.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of spicy

Adjective

This scientific understanding is enabling cultivators to engineer diverse, less pungent strains and driving innovation in discreet, low-odor products like edibles and vapes.

— Peter Su, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Most recently, Fresh Market Place had a bin of papalo, a pungent leafy herb grown by a local in his backyard.

— Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of pungent

Adjective

Building to a poignant climax, writer-director Noah Segan’s elegant love letter to both New York and to bygone cinematic eras recalls both the 1970s, with its grungy urban antiheroes, and the 1990s, in its American indie ethos.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026
The film’s pointed critique of a fractured society severely damaged by playing catch-up capitalism is unmistakable, but for those familiar with recent Ghanaian politics, Armar’s poignant assessment goes deeper.

— Jay Weissberg, Variety, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of poignant

Adjective

Wrapped in notes of Sichuan pepper, pear, lemon, honey, and musk, rose takes on a quality that’s at once spicy, zesty, fruity, honeyed, and musky.

— Jenny Berg, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026
This Best of Beauty Award winner is paired with the equally zesty bergamot right up top, with Earl Grey tea, orange flower, and jasmine mid-notes bringing a calm, sweetly floral freshness to the heart.

— Kara Nesvig, Allure, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of zesty

Adjective

Some eggs are clean and bright (say, Siberian caviar); others are creamy, nutty, deeply savory, or more persistent (à la golden osetra).

— Felipe Riccio, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2026
There are many savory options and sandwiches, too, for those who are in more of a lunch state of mind—plus the benches out front are some of the best places to perch and people watch the Dimes Square scene.

— Kyle Beechey, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of savory

Adjective

The Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh will receive a $500,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket, which is an exciting turn of events for both the store and the community.

— Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026
This weekend is filled to the brim with exciting new shows and movies, both from the comfort of your couch and on the big screen.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of exciting

Adjective

The fresh, salty cheese is quintessential to Greek cuisine, and is served in everything from salads to phyllo dough pies from the city of Athens to the islands of the Cyclades.

— Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026
In front, Palo Alto 30-somethings bob in the waves on their surfboards, cheered on by their WASPy spouses clad in linen tunics, who keep half an eye on their salty-haired offspring hunting for seashells on the beach.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of salty

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“Piquant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piquant. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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