1
as in spicy
having a powerfully stimulating odor or flavor
a pungent chili that is not for those with timid taste buds
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pungent
Curly garlic scapes, purple kohlrabi, pungent spring ramps, Jimmy Nardello peppers, and heritage varieties of tomatoes and apples now stack high in market stalls—along with more types of kale than most of us knew existed.
—
Staff Author,
Travel + Leisure,
8 June 2026
Surrendering to a relaxing massage with a pungent herbal oil—one treatment among many of Sisley’s top-notch line of Phyto-aromatic beauty products—was in perfect sync with the luxe countryside spirit.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
Fans, and perhaps everyone else at this point, might recall that Charli was also absent from the cover of brat, which consisted of the word in black lettering over a pungent green background.
—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
1 June 2026
Its pungent aroma and sulfur compounds can deter common garden pests, such as sap-sucking aphids and fungus gnats.
—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pungent
Staff Author,
Travel + Leisure,
8 June 2026
Surrendering to a relaxing massage with a pungent herbal oil—one treatment among many of Sisley’s top-notch line of Phyto-aromatic beauty products—was in perfect sync with the luxe countryside spirit.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
Fans, and perhaps everyone else at this point, might recall that Charli was also absent from the cover of brat, which consisted of the word in black lettering over a pungent green background.
—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
1 June 2026
Its pungent aroma and sulfur compounds can deter common garden pests, such as sap-sucking aphids and fungus gnats.
—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pungent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pungent
Adjective
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This sweet and spicy guacamole contains chunks of golden mango mixed with a combination of jalapeño peppers and habanero pepper purée, plus onion, red bell pepper, cilantro, and, of course, Hass variety avocados.
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Even the sweet-and-spicy combinations showing up on menus this summer usually start with a base of garlic or ginger.
Adjective
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The student was referencing a line from the 1974 satirical film Blazing Saddles, a movie co-written by Richard Pryor.
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Early says that the movie takes much of its aesthetic and satirical cues from director Paul Verhoeven’s films Showgirls (1995) and Starship Troopers (1997).
Adjective
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When prepared with skill, shrimp can be tender and sweet, perfect for dipping in tangy, piquant cocktail sauce.
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The piquant dish is lacquered with strawberry-guajillo barbecue sauce, while a punchy coleslaw with Fresno chile vinaigrette rounds things out.
Adjective
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The ingredients were fresh and the balance of tangy citrus notes and fiery spices made for an unforgettable meal.
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Top the hearty ground beef with a tangy soy-ketchup glaze to enhance its flavor.
Adjective
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There were the polite claps after good attacks by the Swiss, sarcastic whistles by the Qatari fans after their team again failed to mount a threat.
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When the 10th batter (Dalton Rushing) struck out for the first out of the inning, the diminished number of Pirates fans still on hand gave a sarcastic cheer for their team’s stick-to-itiveness.
Adjective
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The Personal Blender includes two Tritan Renew blending cups and the ultra-durable Rapid Extractor Blade to make delicious smoothies and more.
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Sweet and spicy pepper jelly makes these fast-fix wings extra delicious.
Adjective
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Projections varied in the weeks leading up to the draft with no real consensus among draft analysts, but in the last 24 hours there were strong indications the Clippers would choose Wagler and the Nets would take Brown.
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Your desire for solitude and introspection is strong during today’s Scorpio moon.
Adjective
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Some require extreme heat or highly acidic conditions.
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Blooming from late spring to summer and growing well in USDA Zones 7 to 11, gardenias prefer bright, indirect light, acidic, consistently moist soil, and regular feeding with an acidic fertilizer.
Cite this Entry
“Pungent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pungent. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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