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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pungency
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
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
See All Example Sentences for pungency
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
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
See All Example Sentences for pungency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pungency
Noun
-
In a dry cabin, sugary mixers can read louder than intended, especially when there’s not enough acidity or bitterness to balance them.—
Regan Stephens,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Feb. 2026
-
During a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, the filmmaker was upbeat and grateful without expressing outward bitterness against the companies that turned him down.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Cooking with whole spices adds a complex, alluring flavor that permeates both the rice and the meatballs.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Sparkling Orange Nº1, a low-intervention, organic orange (orange colored due to skin contact, no oranges used) bubbly from Alsace that pops with orange peel and juicy peach, then drifts into jasmine, herbs, and gentle spice.—
Lanee Lee,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
On a recent visit, oysters arrived first, dressed with caviar, citrus cream, and ginger, with a briny bite that was decadent yet balanced.—
Cameron Sperance,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The suspect sustained a K9 bite and a non-life-threatening gunshot wound in the leg, Cody said.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The man whom Navarro likes to call the Boss seems to value insincere, or bought, obeisance—the flapping and fussing of a maître d’—more than heartfelt fandom, which lacks the piquancy of humiliation.—
Ian Parker,
New Yorker,
22 Dec. 2025
-
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
-
Arm's chip designs power most of the world's smartphones and are increasingly used in AI data centers and edge computing devices.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
5 Feb. 2026
-
On Thursday afternoon, OpenAI released a new cutting-edge coding model that the company said assisted in its own creation.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Sour cream makes this classic cake extra moist and adds a hint of tang to every sweet bite.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Whether stirred into stews, folded into pancakes, or whisked into salad dressings, kimchi adds depth, tang, and savory heat to all kinds of dishes.—
Christina Chaey,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Stronger aromatics, brighter acidity, and flavors that can carry through.—
Regan Stephens,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Specialty grade beans are evaluated by Q graders on factors such as acidity, aroma, and flavor, and the best are given an SCA score of at least 80.—
Mark Marino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Add the lemon zest and juice, olives, parsley, then fold in the pasta, adding more stock as needed.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
This cake was inspired by the lemonade and has plenty of lemon juice as well as lemon zest on the ingredient list.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pungency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pungency. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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