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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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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Recent Examples of pungent
Not only does the fermentation process transform the cider into a pungent liquid with a slightly fruity taste, but it’s also thought to add beneficial nutritional features.
—
Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 21 Jan. 2026
Kampot is also renowned for its durian, a tropical spiky fruit which—despite its pungent smell, often compared with smelly socks—is beloved for its sweet custardy taste.
—Vicky Smith, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
For more pungent smells, such as those from pet accidents, leave it for several hours or even overnight.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Jan. 2026
Aside from being a general nuisance with their ferocious snores, pungent odors and growls, bears can do serious damage to a home.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pungent
Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 21 Jan. 2026
Kampot is also renowned for its durian, a tropical spiky fruit which—despite its pungent smell, often compared with smelly socks—is beloved for its sweet custardy taste.
—Vicky Smith, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
For more pungent smells, such as those from pet accidents, leave it for several hours or even overnight.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Jan. 2026
Aside from being a general nuisance with their ferocious snores, pungent odors and growls, bears can do serious damage to a home.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pungent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pungent
Adjective
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Squirrels cannot stand this spicy smell and will steer clear of your garden or home.—
Heather Bien,
The Spruce,
10 Feb. 2026
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Pair it with their signature warm nuts drenched in Tap Roots’ homemade spicy maple syrup, which is destined to put the hot honey craze to shame once word gets out.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The only thing that may be crazier than the actual football life is this satirical comedy-drama that has more to do with a hedonistic existence than play-action passes.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
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But it’s set apart from the rest of her work by a long, satirical section sending up gothic fiction and its fans.—
Boris Kachka,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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These pieces are flavor bombs, imparting salty, piquant, umami goodness into your soup.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
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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
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Tender meatballs and tangy sauce are a winning combo that comes together even better in a portable slider.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
4 Feb. 2026
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In addition to its tangy flavor, customers praise its health properties.—
Donna Vickroy,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Tom Lester played Eb Dawson, the Douglases' sarcastic young farmhand.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
25 Jan. 2026
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The worse things are going, the more bitter and sarcastic my humor sometimes gets.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Expect a whimsical yet extensive drinks program here, including surprisingly delicious non-alcoholic cocktail concoctions.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
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All of the flavors—Thousand Island dressing, Worcestershire sauce, spicy-brown mustard, hot sauce—come together in one delicious recipe.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Among the recovered materials, dysprosium, ytterbium, and erbium are considered high-value due to strong demand and limited substitutes, while yttrium and gadolinium are widely used in electronics, lighting, and healthcare.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
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Paris Reuters — French wine and spirits exports fell last year to their lowest volume in at least 25 years as US tariffs and Chinese duties hit sales and a strong euro made some alcohol more expensive, industry group FEVS said on Tuesday, warning of no imminent relief.—
Reuters 9 hr ago,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Mushy, wrinkled, moldy, or acidic-smelling grapes should only be food for your compost.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Jan. 2026
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Dark roasts are less acidic than other roasts.—
Emily Santora,
Health,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pungent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pungent. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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