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
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
Rich, intense, and kissed with the signature pungency of blue cheese, there is nothing quite like a cut of dry-aged beef.
—Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 30 July 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
Leaving the pulp and skin in place give black peppercorns their pungency as opposed to white pepper, whose surrounding pulp and skins have been removed, imparting a milder flavor to this spice.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 20 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pungency
Jake Offenhartz, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2024
Rich, intense, and kissed with the signature pungency of blue cheese, there is nothing quite like a cut of dry-aged beef.
—Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 30 July 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
Leaving the pulp and skin in place give black peppercorns their pungency as opposed to white pepper, whose surrounding pulp and skins have been removed, imparting a milder flavor to this spice.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 20 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pungency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pungency
Noun
-
Suraj Aryal is bringing the spice back to a vacant Sunnyside restaurant property.—
Matthew Geiger,
Denver Post,
7 May 2025
-
Add spices or herbs to the batter for an extra kick, like cayenne pepper or Cajun seasoning.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
7 May 2025
Noun
-
The agency says that the disease is carried by mosquito bites, and symptoms include fever, pain, and other flu-like symptoms.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
15 May 2025
-
The baby is a twin, and her twin brother also had bite marks on his feet, officials said.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 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 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
Noun
-
The Indian army said in a statement late on Friday that drones were sighted in 26 locations across a wide area of India's west and northwest from Kashmir and states bordering Pakistan to the edge of the Arabian Sea.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
11 May 2025
-
Toll-takers on the Venetian Causeway were in their booths as the tornado swept through just yards away, tearing into trees at a small public park at water’s edge.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
10 May 2025
Noun
-
The miso ranch seeps into the egg, only recognizable as a slight tang that’s detectable in select bites.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Just don’t forgo the citrus finish—these noodles need their tang.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Whether the source of sweetness was molasses, maple syrup, cane sugar, or something else, our tasters wanted restraint in this area and balance through savoriness and acidity.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
7 May 2025
-
Other highlights in the first flight of 9 wines included 1978 with fresh cassis, blackberries, and a hint of mint and chocolate, as well as 1986 which was brimming with black cherry, plum, cedar, juicy acidity and a very long finish.—
Liz Thach,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
Noun
-
Scrape down sides of bowl, and add honey and lemon zest and juice.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
10 May 2025
-
The palate is chewy and spicy, with molasses, clove, toffee, stone fruit, and spiced/candied orange zest flavors, driven by the spicy rye content.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
Noun
-
This year’s grand prix is likely to carry an extra degree of poignancy, given it is anticipated to be the last at the track in the current era.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
-
Like the series as a whole, the finale walked the line between lunacy and poignancy, ultimately leaving its dysfunctional evangelists in a place of peace and resolution without sacrificing the outrageous laughs for which the series has become known.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
5 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pungency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pungency. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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