1
as in spicy
having a powerfully stimulating odor or flavor
a pungent chili that is not for those with timid taste buds
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in satiric
marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings
a pungent put-down that she will not soon forget
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in piquant
sharp and pleasantly stimulating to the mind or senses
a newspaper columnist known for his pungent observations on everyday life
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pungent
Its odor is described as pungent and like turpentine.
—
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 4 Mar. 2026
Parr went electric in 1983, inspired by John Hinde’s postcard photography and the pungent colors coming out of America in the work of Joel Meyerowitz, William Eggleston, and Stephen Shore.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2026
His nostrils are filled with the pungent smoke that engulfed his childhood home and claimed the lives of his grandmother and 11-month-old cousin in 2018.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
It is also thought that the pungent aroma of basil leaves may help to deter pests such as whiteflies, aphids, and hornworms.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pungent
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 4 Mar. 2026
Parr went electric in 1983, inspired by John Hinde’s postcard photography and the pungent colors coming out of America in the work of Joel Meyerowitz, William Eggleston, and Stephen Shore.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2026
His nostrils are filled with the pungent smoke that engulfed his childhood home and claimed the lives of his grandmother and 11-month-old cousin in 2018.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
It is also thought that the pungent aroma of basil leaves may help to deter pests such as whiteflies, aphids, and hornworms.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pungent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pungent
Adjective
-
Her trick is to finely chop the ginger, instead of grating it, so there are spicy-sweet nubs in each bite.—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Odd pieces that are too small or irregularly shaped to cut into sashimi can be easily minced for spicy poke.—
Stella Fong,
Outside,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In 1784, Franklin suggested shifting schedules to rise earlier in a satirical letter to the Journal of Paris.—
Hannah Poukish,
Sacbee.com,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The innocent taste test went largely unnoticed for weeks until creators began stitching their reactions and flooding social feeds with a storm of memes and satirical posts.—
Rachel Ventresca,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Red cabbage, carrots and Tuscan kale form the base, bound together with a piquant balsamic-Dijon vinaigrette.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The comments section features a piquant blend of solemnity, mortification, tastelessness, and transphobia, which accords with Moreschi’s reception in his lifetime.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
In this recipe, grapes add a touch of sweetness to the tangy, creamy mix.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Recently there were pani puri filled with his mother’s wonderfully tangy, grainy cheesecake and strawberry lassi.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Gavalas was a normal guy, Edelson said – a golfer, a funny person with a sarcastic wit, a video gamer.—
Brittany Wallman
Updated March 4,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Mother of two children with her sarcastic, smart and handsome husband.—
Gerald Witt,
AJC.com,
1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
And a recent trip to Costco had the perfect restaurant copycat product to kick things off in delicious, budget-friendly style.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Today, visitors can still tour its founding castle and its Museum of Arms, stroll its cobblestone streets, and duck into its delicious restaurants serving traditional meals.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The strong currents from flash floods can pull drivers off roadways.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
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Tokyo has shown no interest in military involvement, but some experts believe the conflict could bolster Takaichi's push for a stronger military and expanded weapons sales.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Soil with a pH below 6 is considered acidic; anything above 7 is alkaline; 7 is neutral.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Some plants perform better in an acidic soil, others in an alkaline soil.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pungent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pungent. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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