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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Spring Shabu 136-20 38th Avenue, 2nd floor While hot pot restaurants with larger or spicier soup bases have been trending, Wang depends on the Japanese buffet-style Spring Shabu upstairs at Queens Crossing.—
Rachel Chang,
AFAR Media,
1 May 2025
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To correct for this, astronauts tend to prefer spicy foods or adding spicy sauces, like sriracha, tabasco or red pepper paste.—
Robert Z. Pearlman,
Space.com,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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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
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The scorpion metaphor, though pungent, was poorly chosen.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The film offers a poignant exploration of identity, reclamation, and community through the lens of a viral meme.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
2 May 2025
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The formal complexity and poignant quietude of Jia’s filmmaking haven’t endeared him much to previous Cannes juries, and for some this latest entry, with its dizzying chains of intertextuality, must have seemed imposing to the point of being indecipherable.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
2 May 2025
Adjective
-
The All-American Mom Patz & Hall North Coast Brut Sparkling, CA: A crisp and zesty expression of 100% Chardonnay from cool climate vineyards.—
Katie Kelly Bell,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
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Taco Bell said its nuggets are marinated in a zesty jalapeño buttermilk flavor and breaded with a blend of breadcrumbs and crispy tortilla chips.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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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In Robert Eggers' period psychological thriller, Dafoe is a salty and kooky lighthouse keeper who mentors a young rookie (Robert Pattinson), and even nonstop drinking can't stop severe isolation from taking hold of the newbie.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2025
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At any time of year eating Kentuckians’ favorite foods is easy but requisite during Derby Week, not least pimento cheese and country ham and biscuits, which will be found at every party, with puffy split buttermilk biscuits with a thin slice of rosy, salty, thinly sliced country ham on the table.—
John Mariani,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Piquant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piquant. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
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