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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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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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
According to a post on Facebook by the New Zealand Police, a volunteer at the store noticed a pungent aroma before opening the bag, and found multiple small bags of marijuana and a large wad of cash.
—
Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
The native of Roi Et, a small village in Northeast Thailand, learned to cook from her mother and great-grandmother and carries forth their legacy with pungent pad ka pow and succulent roast chicken with crackling skin.
—Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
The sidewalk had been nearly unpassable and the smell was pungent.
—Caroline Silva, AJC.com, 7 Mar. 2026
Our picks range from plump and pleasantly pungent to lean and luxurious, with budget and splurge options.
—Kathleen Squires, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pungent
Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
The native of Roi Et, a small village in Northeast Thailand, learned to cook from her mother and great-grandmother and carries forth their legacy with pungent pad ka pow and succulent roast chicken with crackling skin.
—Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
The sidewalk had been nearly unpassable and the smell was pungent.
—Caroline Silva, AJC.com, 7 Mar. 2026
Our picks range from plump and pleasantly pungent to lean and luxurious, with budget and splurge options.
—Kathleen Squires, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pungent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pungent
Adjective
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The minibar brimmed with complimentary sodas, addictively spicy small-batch pimento cheese Lowcountry Kettle Chips, and lemon sugar cookies from Charleston’s Own.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
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If the kids are pushing for a Big Mac or Chick-fil-A spicy deluxe chicken sandwich, but the budget can’t support it, there’s a hack for that.—
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Among them is a memoir by Kennedy’s wife, Cheryl Hines, and a satirical book about Fauci by Robert Kennedy III.—
Tom Bartlett,
The Atlantic,
5 Apr. 2026
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Dayle’s satirical novel follows a white flag-bearer pretending to be a Black soldier during the Civil War.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Conductors often fetishize the opening bars of this opera, their squirmy alternation of silence and piquant dissonance.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Red cabbage, carrots and Tuscan kale form the base, bound together with a piquant balsamic-Dijon vinaigrette.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The result is a tangy, light sipper that’s gorgeous to look at and lower in alcohol than many other cocktails.—
Martha Stewart,
Martha Stewart,
10 Apr. 2026
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Ribs go great with a classic sweet barbecue sauce, an Alabama white, or a tangy North Carolina vinegar sauce.—
Stacey Lastoe,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The fans gave him a sarcastic slow-clap, prompting him to wave his arms in encouragement.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
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So sarcastic remarks can be ironic, but ironic remarks are not necessarily sarcastic.—
Ayana Archie,
NPR,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The parathas, as the savory flatbreads are called, stuffed with onion and paneer and coated with a generous amount of butter, are as delicious as ever.—
Mithil Aggarwal,
NBC news,
11 Apr. 2026
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This simple combination of strawberries, lemon, basil, and sugar is the key to so many fruit-forward desserts, but the sweet mixture is just as delicious when enjoyed on its own.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Royal Bahamian police said Brian Hooker told investigators that his wife fell over from an 8-foot hard-bottom dinghy — along with the keys to the boat — and she was carried away by strong rip currents.—
Cristian Benavides,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
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The National Weather Service says strong winds could generate breaking waves of 8 feet causing dune erosion and road overwash.—
Mark Price
April 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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What Vinegar Actually Does Vinegar is acidic, and eggshells are primarily made of calcium carbonate.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2026
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Both thrive in well-draining, acidic soil and full sun.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pungent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pungent. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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