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
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
This technique involves high-heat oven roasting, which deepens the tomato flavor, softens the onions and garlic, and imparts a subtle smoky note, resulting in a vibrant and piquant salsa.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for piquant
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
This technique involves high-heat oven roasting, which deepens the tomato flavor, softens the onions and garlic, and imparts a subtle smoky note, resulting in a vibrant and piquant salsa.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for piquant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piquant
Adjective
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Rye whiskey is the drier and spicier cousin of bourbon with an herbaceous edge, an edge which (as with the Sazerac, La Louisiane and others) is given a few dozen exclamation points with a dash of absinthe.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
10 Jan. 2026
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This creamy, cheesy pasta dish gets its extra spicy flavor from Andouille sausage, pepper Jack cheese, and Cajun seasoning.—
Nellah Bailey McGough,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Delicious and pungent, there's no denying that the world of cheese can be a confusing (and rewarding) place.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Residents sick of the pungent smell and wary of the crop’s potential associations with the marijuana industry — of which growing, processing and sales are banned in Sutter County and Yuba City — called for an end to hemp farming.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
17 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Even more poignant, however, is the Rosemary's Baby angle, where the innocence of childhood is drowned in blood and the notion that a young person reared in a loving environment should develop into a compassionate adult is perverted into unthinkable horror.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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One of the hits of this year’s Cannes Film Festival, helmer Hadi’s poignant feature debut follows an impoverished girl living with her grandmother in the Mesopotamian marshes during the Saddam Hussein regime.—
Alissa Simon,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Flaky phyllo dough is filled with zesty harissa sauce and halloumi cheese and sprinkled with breadcrumbs and paprika for a savory bite-sized snack.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Add a pinch of cayenne, cumin, and a squeeze of lemon juice for a zesty, savory twist that gives your morning a flavorful kick.—
Lauren O'Connor,
Health,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Some even suggested delicious baking uses for the new treats.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Includes gardening tips to grow perfect perennials and chiles for every palate, plus articles on delicious Ukrainian food dishes and Christmas family traditions, banana recipe contest winners and practical life advice.—
Alex Perry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Flaky phyllo dough is filled with zesty harissa sauce and halloumi cheese and sprinkled with breadcrumbs and paprika for a savory bite-sized snack.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Editors liked that this cottage cheese wasn't too liquidy, perfectly savory, and felt fresh without any strong aftertaste.—
Catherine Jessee,
Southern Living,
31 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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This season already has plenty of exciting acting talents to spot on the red carpets—including frontrunners such as Chase Infiniti, Renate Reinsve, and Rose Byrne.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
9 Jan. 2026
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Craft service had Cinnabons — that was exciting.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In Baltimore County freshwater streams, some trout can be harmed by saltier water.—
Cutter Martin,
CBS News,
6 Jan. 2026
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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 12 Jan. 2026.
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