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
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
-
Coffee is particularly simpatico in chocolate recipes, where the coffee’s bitterness rounds out the chocolate flavor without overpowering it.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Chocolate in this range delivers intensity without bitterness and often carries subtle fruity or nutty notes, especially varieties sourced from South America.—
Amber Love Bond,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 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
-
One bite of the soufflé is enough to shatter any notion chili has no place in a French restaurant.—
Claire Ballor
Staff Reporter,
Dallas Morning News,
30 Jan. 2026
-
In June 2022, Kang wrote a second post about Valerio that didn’t mention the bite.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 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
-
Having explored the Mariana Trench, the summit of Everest, and the edge of space, Victor Vescovo knows what awe feels like in its most dramatic forms.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
-
In short, the frontlines of the Russia-Ukraine war are a weird laboratory for modern warfare, which, against all odds, has given Ukraine a considerable tactical edge over its much larger adversary.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The name Dee Dee has long elicited in my mind thoughts of intense spice and tang.—
Matthew Odam,
Austin American Statesman,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The cheese sauce is super savory, with both Cheddar and pepper Jack and is seasoned with chili powder for warmth and has a little barbecue sauce stirred in for some tang and sweetness to balance the richness.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Tomato butter is another viral favorite; the acidity from the tomatoes adds lots of bright flavor to your favorite butter.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Jan. 2026
-
In practice, that means dishes are conceptualized around tannin, acidity, aromatics, and mouthfeel.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Raimi indulges Send Help’s gore and gross-out moments with the zest of someone returning to his cult-favorite roots.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Citrus fruit zest is often used in baking, and a lemon twist—expressed over the glass for aroma and flavor—is a classic martini garnish.—
Stacey Lastoe,
Southern Living,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pungency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pungency. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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