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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
This solid version is similarly lush, infusing a base of rose wax with the signature floral bouquet—think lily, iris, peony, and tons of slightly spice rose—along with vanilla and Tonka bean.—
Deanna Pai,
Vogue,
17 Apr. 2025
-
There's an undercurrent of floral honeysuckle and a whisper of cardamom spice.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
More: Climate risk will take trillion-dollar bite out of America's real estate, report finds What are the origins of Earth Day?—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
21 Apr. 2025
-
In Jackson, the battle’s over, and those who suffered bites accept their fate.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
21 Apr. 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
-
But Nungesser argues a better option is to strengthen the Mississippi River's flow by filling crevasses along the river's edge that have widened over the years.—
Kati Weis,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Beane took three cornerbacks, two defensive tackles and edge rusher Landon Jackson.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Just don’t forgo the citrus finish—these noodles need their tang.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
4 Apr. 2025
-
If Dan Burn’s goal and elevation to the England squad became the individual story of the weekend and Isak’s goal carried a tang of inevitability — so good, so unstoppable — then Newcastle’s midfield felt like the crux of it.—
George Caulkin,
The Athletic,
24 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The backset's acidity lowers the mash's pH, which helps control unwanted bacterial growth.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
-
May Boost Skin Health Topical apple cider vinegar is a popular natural skin treatment for acne and eczema based on the assumption that ACV’s acidity can balance pH levels and fight germs on the skin.—
Amy Brownstein, MS, RDN,
Verywell Health,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Scatter the pistachios over the salad and garnish with additional lemon zest and black pepper.—
Wire Report,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2025
-
The gin is fresh and assertive on the nose, featuring powerful juniper aromas, followed by citrus zest and cucumber.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The chronology-bending structure gives the show a bittersweet poignancy, with each moment tainted by its inverse.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2025
-
There, a wide playing space where our focus could float, softening in the play’s desert air and in the yearning tenderness of its characters, felt exactly right, and Cromer could conduct with more breath, subtle poignancy, and looseness of grip.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pungency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pungency. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share