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

And since management changed a decade ago, Ortega, 59, said pungent smells on days the plant operates have prevented him from going outside or opening the windows.

— Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of pungent

Adjective

But the tale is even more poignant now, because as part of the team’s offensive transformation, fueled by the hiring of former Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith, the Vikings are handing Bredeson a hefty role.

— Alec Lewis, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
But Roy’s story of Annie (Arjun Raina), a New Delhi architecture student caught in a vicious cycle of failing and repeating his studies, gradually reveals itself as a sharp and poignant portrayal of youth, deftly poised between hope and cynicism.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 18 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

His wife welcomes me into their open-air kitchen for coffee and tamal de maicena — homemade milk tarts made with cornstarch, which are unbelievably fresh and delicious.

— Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Get a caffeine kick-start at Birdies Coffee + Bakery, then head to Commons Grounds for a delicious brunch.

— Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of delicious

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

May 19 Just three months before her death, Panettiere releases her candid memoir detailing the progression of a once-exciting, new relationship that quickly escalated into years of domestic violence.

— Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Romero holds a 17-2 record with 13 KOs, while Lopez stands at 22-2 with 13 KOs, promising an exciting clash.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of exciting

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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 24 Aug. 2026.

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