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
The key is to saute the kimchi to concentrate its pungency — the more fermented the kimchi, the better.
—
Iris Kim, NBC News, 23 Nov. 2024
One of those is to impart bite: Sour-style cocktails need acid, and most of the Western world defaults to citrus thanks to its affordability, ample pungency, and mild flavor.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2024
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
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
See All Example Sentences for pungency
Iris Kim, NBC News, 23 Nov. 2024
One of those is to impart bite: Sour-style cocktails need acid, and most of the Western world defaults to citrus thanks to its affordability, ample pungency, and mild flavor.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2024
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
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
See All Example Sentences for pungency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pungency
Noun
-
Regarding her own father, former Hollywood lighting director Thomas Markle, there is such entrenched bitterness, and this situation makes any reconciliation far from likely.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The biggest casualty, says Srivastava, will be the goodwill between India and the United States, built after decades of bitterness over Washington's support of India's adversaries like Pakistan.—
Omkar Khandekar,
NPR,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The New Extraction Economy Early colonial powers extracted gold, spices and resources from distant lands while giving little back to local communities.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
One of my favorites was Seta su Luminara, which features modern Italian cuisine from Fabio Trabocchi, including an eight-course tasting menu inspired by the spice-trading history of Venice that comes at extra cost.—
Amanda Eyre Ward,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Watch this historic matchup on panoramic, state-of-the-art digital screens with premium seating, specialty cocktails, craft beer, and upscale bites like crispy chicken wings, flatbreads, and signature burgers.—
Nasha Smith,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
That took a huge bite out of Fox’s total numbers.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 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 key to its flavor is a balance of sweet, spice, piquancy and heat, which creates a balanced and addictive bite.—
Lynda Balslev,
The Mercury News,
17 June 2024
Noun
-
The attack was widely condemned in the Middle East and beyond as an act that could escalate tensions in a region already on edge.—
Jarrett Renshaw,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
On the other hand, edge computing will gain, too.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
That delicate, metallic tang—almost more sensation than flavor, the suggestion of electricity, like looking at an outlet with a fork in your hand.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The vanilla flavor, coupled with the tang of the cream cheese, is the perfect balance.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
And one of the most important aspects of the soil is that its pH allows the fruit to maintain its acidity through fermentation.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The acidity in vinegar helps to penetrate buildup to lift it off the surface of your cabinets.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Add some lemon zest, or change the flavorings, maybe add a ripple of crumb topping in the middle—just makes a new cake.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
14 Sep. 2025
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Aromas of lemon peel citrus zest and yellow poppy.—
Tom Hyland,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pungency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pungency. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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