1
as in bitterness
a harsh or sharp quality
the pungency of the vinegar gives the salad dressing the kick that it needs
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in spice
the quality or state of being stimulating to the mind or senses
theatergoers have long delighted in the pungency and wit of the play's dialogue
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pungency
Not long ago, the residents of Gowanus, in Brooklyn, began to notice that the smell of their canal, known for its unpleasant odor since the Gilded Age, had reached a new level of pungency.
—
Jake Offenhartz, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2024
Rich, intense, and kissed with the signature pungency of blue cheese, there is nothing quite like a cut of dry-aged beef.
—Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 30 July 2024
The bread’s soft, moist textures contrast with the tiny crunches of cacao nibs, ending with perfect pungency from black cardamom.
—Bahar Anooshahr, The Arizona Republic, 4 June 2024
Leaving the pulp and skin in place give black peppercorns their pungency as opposed to white pepper, whose surrounding pulp and skins have been removed, imparting a milder flavor to this spice.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 20 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pungency
Jake Offenhartz, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2024
Rich, intense, and kissed with the signature pungency of blue cheese, there is nothing quite like a cut of dry-aged beef.
—Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 30 July 2024
The bread’s soft, moist textures contrast with the tiny crunches of cacao nibs, ending with perfect pungency from black cardamom.
—Bahar Anooshahr, The Arizona Republic, 4 June 2024
Leaving the pulp and skin in place give black peppercorns their pungency as opposed to white pepper, whose surrounding pulp and skins have been removed, imparting a milder flavor to this spice.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 20 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pungency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pungency
Noun
-
The palate is sweet, smooth, and creamy, highlighting additional notes of caramel, vanilla, and spice.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
-
A little spice would certainly have been nice here.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
The young girl took a bite of the guacamole and flashed a thumbs up.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
26 May 2025
-
While there is a timeline for all the moving parts of the day from guest arrivals to late-night bites at the after-party, planners need to be ready for anything.—
Shelby Wax,
Vogue,
25 May 2025
Noun
-
The most notable part of this gag was not the joke itself, a standard late-night quip delivered with appropriate piquancy.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2025
-
The most notable part of this gag was not the joke itself, a standard late-night quip delivered with appropriate piquancy.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Special teams ace/edge rusher DeAngelo Malone also would be a difficult cut.—
Josh Kendall,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
-
In the second round of the playoffs, against the defending champion, the Boston Celtics, the script was flipped: the Knicks got down by huge margins in the first two games but came storming back for the victory in both, creating a 2–0 edge.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
Orange, grapefruit, or pineapple juice can provide a similar tang, but with a bit more sweetness.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
24 May 2025
-
The new residents include clownfish, cownose stingrays and unicorn tangs, LEGOLAND Florida said in a news release.—
USA TODAY Network Staff,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
Once cooked, the meatballs are tender, juicy, and absorb all the garlicky flavor of the sauce, which is rich from Parmesan cheese and nicely balance with a little acidity from wine.—
Jasmine Smith,
Southern Living,
30 May 2025
-
Cassis and blackberry flavors are wrapped in a sheath of elegant tannins that slowly dissolve to reveal dazzling acidity and a soft touch of sage in the lingering finish.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
25 May 2025
Noun
-
Express an orange zest twist over the cocktail then garnish with a sliced orange wheel.—
Jillian Dara,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
This is also a great place to add in orange or lime zest for citrus bars.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 May 2025
Noun
-
For nearly anyone facing a lifetime’s worth of souvenirs, there’s an undeniable poignancy.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
27 May 2025
-
These are Chris’ formative years, and although they’re played for laughs, there’s also poignancy to them.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pungency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pungency. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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