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
The Scherzo married sweetness and pungency.
—
Steven Winn,
San Francisco Chronicle,
21 Mar. 2026
Key Takeaways Capsaicin, the bioactive compound that gives chili peppers their pungency, can impact your gastrointestinal system and digestion.
—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
17 Feb. 2026
The hard edges and pungency of a relatively cheap, unaged spirit were far less visible in the Viriato samples.
—
Christopher Null,
Wired News,
11 Nov. 2025
This historic two-game parlay of pungency followed up a classic, a double-overtime loss to Oregon, back when Franklin’s inability to beat high-ranking opponents was his biggest problem.
—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pungency
Steven Winn,
San Francisco Chronicle,
21 Mar. 2026
Key Takeaways Capsaicin, the bioactive compound that gives chili peppers their pungency, can impact your gastrointestinal system and digestion.
—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
17 Feb. 2026
The hard edges and pungency of a relatively cheap, unaged spirit were far less visible in the Viriato samples.
—
Christopher Null,
Wired News,
11 Nov. 2025
This historic two-game parlay of pungency followed up a classic, a double-overtime loss to Oregon, back when Franklin’s inability to beat high-ranking opponents was his biggest problem.
—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pungency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pungency
Noun
-
And after spending most of Sunday as the guy the crowd didn’t want to see close the deal, Clark didn’t respond with bitterness.
-
Crisp and refreshing, the drink’s grapefruit bitterness was softened by carbonation, giving Mexico’s national cocktail a lively upgrade.
Noun
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Peppers followed, along with a healthy sprinkling of spices.
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Leveraging years of experience developed at Brunello Cucinelli and Prada, the designer used a beautiful palette of colors, the hues reflecting the spices of each location, from nutmeg and cardamom to ginger, cinnamon and vanilla, and those of the Mediterranean Sea.
Noun
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That first bite delivers the crispy outside with a soft chew of rice, followed by the hot dog.
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Opening to the public June 29, Level 99 also serves a full menu of bites, cocktails and beers and features the work of 23 visual artists from across the world.
Noun
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Those split levels of child and adult consciousness give the film a certain piquancy, a little gap where drama can spark in a story where almost nothing really happens except a kid takes a plane ride, or several plane rides, with his mom.
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That Mann himself had written stories on gay themes added to the piquancy of the encounter.
Noun
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The Americans came out energized in the second half and a Berhalter banger from the edge of the penalty area tied it up 2-2 in the 49th minute.
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The Samurai Blue have the edge on shots, 2-1, but Sweden has the lone shot on target so far through 25 minutes.
Noun
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Vinegar, sugar, and spices give these pickles their classic sweet tang.
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The buttermilk tang from the ranch seasoning packet is what transforms plain chicken tenders into something delightful that the whole family will love.
Noun
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Thrilling smoky minerality on the nose with an abundance of floral aromatics that is laced with a citrus salinity, such as lemon confit, that has marked acidity and finishing aromas of seashell, making this a gorgeously gastronomic wine.
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In this recipe, sweet navel orange and fresh lime strike a balance of sweetness and sharp acidity.
Noun
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In a small bowl, mix the yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon zest, and lemon juice to make the sauce, and season with salt and pepper.
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Add zest and juice of 1 lemon, stir to combine, then season to taste with salt and cayenne, if using.
Cite this Entry
“Pungency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pungency. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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