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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pungency
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
Paneer just has this wonderful, gentle expression of milky dairy richness, but without much pungency to it.
—Bon Appétit, 22 Jan. 2025
After five years, the pungency of Greek oregano wanes but the plant can easily be propagated from shoot tip cuttings.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 16 Jan. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for pungency
Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 11 July 2025
Paneer just has this wonderful, gentle expression of milky dairy richness, but without much pungency to it.
—Bon Appétit, 22 Jan. 2025
After five years, the pungency of Greek oregano wanes but the plant can easily be propagated from shoot tip cuttings.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 16 Jan. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for pungency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pungency
Noun
-
Curiously, there is less bitterness among farmworkers and advocates than there is sadness.—
Marcos Breton,
Sacbee.com,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Each sip ends with some pleasant heat on the back end, a nice, warming finish that lingers for a few minutes, along with some tannic oak that does not go overboard into bitterness.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Seasoned with a blend of soy, garlic, sesame and spice, the Ramyeon McShaker Fries are inspired by Rumi, Mira and Zoey's go-to noodle snack.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
A little kick from spices in the meats made the sandwich all the tastier.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Worldwide, many antibiotics are starting to lose their bite.—
Jonathan Lambert,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The evening begins with a lively pre-event social hour featuring bites, cocktails and networking.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
That Mann himself had written stories on gay themes added to the piquancy of the encounter.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
-
And a jicama salad is my personal favorite, balancing heat in piquancy and chill in temperature.—
Lyndsay C. Green,
Freep.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
When looking at the largest metro areas, the fastest growing counties tended to be on the outer edges.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The Chiefs have now turned their attention to the secondary waves of free agency while looking ahead to the draft — with top needs at cornerback, edge and offensive tackle, by my estimation.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Hunter Sauce is described as a sweet chili sauce with notes of chili, garlic and pepper, while Demon Sauce is a bold mustard sauce with heat and tang.—
Angeline Jane Bernabe,
ABC News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The biscuits, flecked with frilly sprigs of dill, are pulled together with sour cream, giving them tenderness and a mild tang.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The acidity of mayo reacts with the baking soda and encourages the cake to rise.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
26 Mar. 2026
-
If the temperature, humidity or acidity is not favorable, these bacteria can also slumber for decades in a spore form – underfoot and forgotten by nearly all except cattle.—
Hannah Kinzer,
The Conversation,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Recipe information Finely grate 1 large garlic clove and the zest of 1 lemon into a large bowl.—
Molly Baz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Yet even this three-act work bows, at its center, to American zest.—
Guillermo Perez,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pungency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pungency. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
