1
as in bitterness
a harsh or sharp quality
the pungency of the vinegar gives the salad dressing the kick that it needs
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pungency
Ginger contains more than 400 chemical compounds, but the anti-nausea effect primarily stems from two — gingerol and shogaol — which give the plant its pungency.
—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
The hard edges and pungency of a relatively cheap, unaged spirit were far less visible in the Viriato samples.
—Christopher Null, Wired News, 11 Nov. 2025
This historic two-game parlay of pungency followed up a classic, a double-overtime loss to Oregon, back when Franklin’s inability to beat high-ranking opponents was his biggest problem.
—Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
The vinegar used to quick pickle the onions also adds a vinegary pungency to the salad, and dill and basil work together to add fresh and herbaceous notes.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pungency
The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
The hard edges and pungency of a relatively cheap, unaged spirit were far less visible in the Viriato samples.
—Christopher Null, Wired News, 11 Nov. 2025
This historic two-game parlay of pungency followed up a classic, a double-overtime loss to Oregon, back when Franklin’s inability to beat high-ranking opponents was his biggest problem.
—Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
The vinegar used to quick pickle the onions also adds a vinegary pungency to the salad, and dill and basil work together to add fresh and herbaceous notes.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pungency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pungency
Noun
-
There was no detectable bitterness in his voice.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
This matters because fermentation reduces bitterness and makes plant compounds, especially polyphenols, more available.—
Dr. Steven Gundry,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Blue Bay Resort A visit to Belmont Estate provides insights into traditional cacao farming and chocolate production, from bean to bar, while Tri-Island Chocolate connects visitors with local farmers to learn about cocoa, honey and spice cultivation with its Rastafarian Roots-to-Bar experience.—
Taryn White,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
Shelves lined with baking ingredients, bolts of fabric, tinware, nails, and jars of penny candy created a patchwork of textures and smells ranging from molasses and leather to spices and tobacco smoke.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Other recommended dishes are the goat cheese bites and seared branzino with potatoes, peas and asparagus.—
Kate Williams,
AJC.com,
22 May 2026
-
The bite-sized show will run to 31 episodes and be available on the CandyJar microdrama platform.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
Those split levels of child and adult consciousness give the film a certain piquancy, a little gap where drama can spark in a story where almost nothing really happens except a kid takes a plane ride, or several plane rides, with his mom.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
-
That Mann himself had written stories on gay themes added to the piquancy of the encounter.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The stalemate that existed has been broken, and the Republicans now seem likely to obtain a meaningful edge heading into the midterms.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
-
Among the various aspects of the movie that its English title refers to, not least is the unhinged rampage Lina unleashes at a couple of schoolgirls, a gringa loca on the razor’s edge.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
In yogurt’s case, bacteria convert the natural sugar in milk into lactic acid, which is what produces that signature tang and thickness.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
21 May 2026
-
Sunday Chicken tastes deeply savory and comforting, with the mustard and oregano giving the crispy skin a subtle tang and herbaceous warmth.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
By adding white grapes to the mix, acidity is boosted while the high alcohol level found in ripe red grapes is diluted.—
Irenie Forshaw,
TheWeek,
11 May 2026
-
Coffee grounds can be used to make hydrangea blooms bluer by increasing soil acidity.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Start by following Garten’s Orange Cream recipe to create a thick orange-zest cream that will serve as one of the layers in your trifle.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 May 2026
-
Add the sour cream, vanilla and lemon zest, and whisk just until smooth.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pungency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pungency. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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