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
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
-
The white negroni gets its pleasant bitterness from gin infused with pine nuts.—
Rachel Bernhard,
jsonline.com,
29 Aug. 2025
-
The water cleanses the palate, while the lokum balances the drink’s bitterness.—
Ali Halit Diker,
CNN Money,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The beef is tender, and the broth has that nice aromatic spice that is immediately soothing and associated with a classic beef noodle soup.—
Shindy Chen,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Expect bold flavors—the sauces aren’t shy about their spice.—
Jill Robbins,
Southern Living,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
And while winners may be tempted to choose the annuity for an initial lower tax bite and to get more Powerball money, inflation and unforeseeable tax changes over 29 years could eat away at its value.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Get the recipe > This rustic soup from Chiapas, Mexico, features the grassy flavor of fresh chipilín leaves in a rich corn broth, with tender masa dumplings stuffed with creamy queso fresco for a satisfying bite.—
SAVEUR Editors,
Saveur,
4 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
-
On the southwestern side of the fire, hand crews and dozers began building new containment lines along Sycamore Ridge Road to prevent the westward spread of the fire from the Dinkey Creek drainage and cut the fire off close to its active edge.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The base stores up to three tools, including a corner cleaner and an edge sweeper.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Wide yellow sands, endless skies, and the tang of salt in the air that had seemed ordinary in childhood suddenly felt magnetic.—
Rohan Banerjee,
Time,
23 Aug. 2025
-
The stellar chocolate chip cookie has what almost tastes like a tang that makes each bite more delicious.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The balanced fruitiness and mild acidity cut through the richness, while a creamy, buttery mouthfeel provides richness and a mouth-coating texture.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Max Baum/Steffen Köhler To assess the changes wrought by the acidity, scientists measured the circumference of the teeth before and after incubation.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Lemon zest and lemon juice brighten up the Shrimp's delicate flavor.—
Phoebe Evans,
Southern Living,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Sprinkle with oregano leaves, lemon zest, nutmeg, and additional salt and pepper.—
Katlyn Moncada,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pungency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pungency. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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