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
Splendid orange animal piper on the label of this 14% alcohol wine that includes piqued and piquant aromas of blue fruit, vanilla, orange peels, wet granite, fern glen, soda lime and flint.
—
Tom Mullen, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Raw tuna is often presented in ways that emphasize its subtlety and richness; here, instead, all those piquant, pickly bits seem to give the fish’s oceanic sweetness permission to flex and flow, revealing its character the way a few drops of water open up a rare single malt.
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2025
Even a humble staple like queso is elevated with smokey undertones, a version so good that it can easily be eaten by the spoonful, alternating with the addictively piquant salsa verde that comes to the table with warm tortilla chips.
—Claudia Alarcón, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
The crustaceans produce a piquant aroma while the red vegetable adds a layer of acidity and hint of sourness to the soup.
—Christina Liao, Vogue, 27 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for piquant
Tom Mullen, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Raw tuna is often presented in ways that emphasize its subtlety and richness; here, instead, all those piquant, pickly bits seem to give the fish’s oceanic sweetness permission to flex and flow, revealing its character the way a few drops of water open up a rare single malt.
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2025
Even a humble staple like queso is elevated with smokey undertones, a version so good that it can easily be eaten by the spoonful, alternating with the addictively piquant salsa verde that comes to the table with warm tortilla chips.
—Claudia Alarcón, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
The crustaceans produce a piquant aroma while the red vegetable adds a layer of acidity and hint of sourness to the soup.
—Christina Liao, Vogue, 27 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for piquant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piquant
Adjective
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The admirable Kentucky Freedom Run Farm provides the fine, flavorful lamb for a slow braising and sided with a spicy tomato jam risotto, coriander, mint-and-pistachio gremolata and the reduction of the meat’s juices.—
John Mariani,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
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His agenda for a perfect day in L.A. includes a boat party, an ice bath and the most glorious spicy shrimp in town.—
Michelle Woo,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
These large, flashy flowers—also known as titan arum—are famous for producing a pungent odor that stinks like rotting flesh.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 Apr. 2025
-
The scorpion metaphor, though pungent, was poorly chosen.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
An especially poignant moment was when a close friend provided a check with the payee line left blank, demonstrating immense trust and support.—
Geri Stengel,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
-
As the world mourns the death of Pope Francis, a poignant video from Easter Sunday is being remembered as the pontiff's final farewell.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Like a good martini, the novel blends the zesty gin of satire with vermouthy fruitiness and lemon twists of sharp observation.—
Rob Kyff,
Hartford Courant,
19 Apr. 2025
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With the acidic marinara, zesty pesto, and little chunks of mozzarella, this hotdog hit all the markers of the tie-dye pie from Rubirosa.—
Kaitlyn Rosati,
New York Daily News,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Grilling is a simple and delicious way to enjoy proteins and veggies, but there’s ways to make that grilling experience bigger and bolder, and add a lot of flavor.—
Aly Walansky,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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The scents are delicious without ever smelling overbearing, the burn times are on point, and the candle jars blend in as pretty decor in any room.—
Carly Totten,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Classic French dishes Carême pioneered included vol-au-vent, filling a puff pastry with savory foods, and tournedos Rossini, a French steak topped with foie gras.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
30 Apr. 2025
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Cooks from across the region will prepare original sweet or savory dishes featuring mayhaw in any form for the inaugural Mayhaw Munchies Cook-Off, with a panel of celebrity judges to taste and select winners that will be announced live from the Newton House Main Stage.—
Eric E. Harrison,
Arkansas Online,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Add enough salt so the water is pleasantly salty, followed by the pasta, and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Apr. 2025
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The exterior has a nice crust that’s slightly salty, and the texture of the bread inside has a bounce, which is likely from the provolone.—
Kaitlyn Rosati,
New York Daily News,
23 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Piquant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piquant. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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