pungency

1 a harsh or sharp quality the pungency of the vinegar gives the salad dressing the kick that it needs Synonyms acerbity, acidity, acidness, acridity, acridness, acrimoniousness, acrimony, acuteness, asperity, bite, bitterness, harshness, keenness, poignance, poignancy, edge, roughness, sharpness, tartnessRelated Words ginger, punch, spice, tang; raucousness, severeness, severity, shrillness, virulence, vitriol; cattiness, maliciousness; pointedness, thorninessNear Antonyms gentleness, kindlinessAntonyms mildness, softness

2 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 nip, piquancy, spice, tang, zest, zingRelated Words raciness, spiciness; fieriness, hotness; acuteness, keenness, sharpness; provocativeness; excitement, invigoration, stimulant, stimulation, stimulus, thrill; bitterness, mordance, trenchancy; flavor, redolence, savor (also savour), savoriness, tastinessNear Antonyms flatness, tastelessness; dullness (also dulness), insipidity, monotonousness, monotony, platitude, predictability, sameness, tediousness; blandness, thinness, weaknessAntonyms insipidity