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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective racy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of racy are piquant, poignant, and pungent. While all these words mean "sharp and stimulating to the mind or the senses," racy implies having a strongly characteristic natural quality fresh and unimpaired.

spontaneous, racy prose

When might piquant be a better fit than racy?

While in some cases nearly identical to racy, piquant suggests a power to whet the appetite or interest through tartness or mild pungency.

a piquant sauce

In what contexts can poignant take the place of racy?

The synonyms poignant and racy are sometimes interchangeable, but poignant suggests something is sharply or piercingly effective in stirring one's emotions.

felt a poignant sense of loss

Where would pungent be a reasonable alternative to racy?

While the synonyms pungent and racy are close in meaning, pungent implies a sharp, stinging, or biting quality especially of odors.

a cheese with a pungent odor

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 racy The festivities started off at Chippendales, where Carole received two lap dances that were so racy they got banned from TikTok. Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 6 Apr. 2025 The son of the late Steve Irwin, Robert made headlines earlier this month with a racy campaign for Australian underwear brand, Bonds. Emily Longeretta, Variety, 22 Apr. 2025 Yet his exquisite visual compositions (of lonely bedrooms, concrete piers, and nocturnal courtyards) infuse even the film’s racy images with a somber sense of longing and introspection, finding beauty and humanity in the midst of the macabre. The New York Times, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025 Spears showed off her racy outfit in various poses from the front and to the side while standing by a fireplace in what appeared to be her home. Escher Walcott, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for racy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for racy
Adjective
  • In lieu of bunking in the 4,000-square-foot Lord House, built in 1962 just off of Mulholland Drive, rent it out by the hour and host a lively pool party.
    Kristine Hansen, Architectural Digest, 30 May 2025
  • Thus began a lively rivalry with Lee, who quickly learned Clemens possesses a killer serve.
    Dan Hayes, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • Some Asian ingredients include spicy xo sauce, Japanese snow crab and A5 Miyazaki Gyu, a top-grade Japanese wagyu beef.
    Samantha Husted, Charlotte Observer, 5 June 2025
  • Both of our children were a week past their due dates...so when spicy food, all that walking, and acupuncture didn't work - there was only one thing left to do!
    Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • Moreover, an animated Predator movie called Predator: Killer of Killers is coming to Hulu this summer.
    Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 1 June 2025
  • Even with Bailey singing her lovestruck heart out, Rob Marshall's redo doesn't make the same refreshing splash as the 1989 animated classic but gets points for trying with a more logical narrative.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 26 May 2025
Adjective
  • Carmichael is an entertaining and observant narrator of his own story, and, ultimately, even jokes about Pop-Tarts or Donald Trump or blowjobs are suggestive reflections of the comedian who tells them.
    Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 23 May 2025
  • As the narrative unfolds, her mundane tasks take a playful turn, with suggestive dance moves punctuating her daydreams, until Wheeler suddenly appears unannounced, leaving both characters caught in a moment of shy intrigue.
    Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • Today, DeVos said that Eliana, now 3, is a happy and energetic toddler, and her scar is hardly noticeable.
    Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 6 June 2025
  • Astronomers have captured the most energetic explosions ever recorded in the universe since the big bang as massive stars get ripped apart by supermassive black holes.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • Since the show's conclusion, Zoe has remained active in the fashion and lifestyle space, in part through her newsletter The Zoe Report, which launched in 2009.
    Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 7 June 2025
  • Action step: Practice active listening during meetings.
    Kent Ingle, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • Such seemingly minor biographical details are what animate L’Enchanteur, which was born in 2012 after Soull and Dynasty merged their independent labels—Alkhemi9 and BRZÉ, respectively.
    Thessaly La Force, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Users do have creative freedom — freedom to learn to draw, animate, write, score, or direct their own projects.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Examples include moderate or brisk walking, water aerobics, doubles tennis, slow cycling, or ballroom dancing.
    Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 30 May 2025
  • The sun peeked out, but brisk winds were blowing and temperatures only climbed to the high 40s near the lakefront.
    Susan DeGrane, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Racy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/racy. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.

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