Definition of racynext
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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 two have been spending time together since at least July, when Minniear shared a racy photo of Goulding on Instagram. Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026 Adding another title to Rupert Murdoch ‘s media empire, the California Post will draw from and build on the venerable New York paper’s national coverage, which is known for its relentless and skewering approach to reporting and its facility with sensational or racy subject matter. Christopher Weber, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026 Which helps explain why, around this time of year, certain social media feeds are inundated with racy FYI posts by adult stars courting votes. Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 3 Jan. 2026 Yet for all the racy effusion, the point wasn’t so much self-exposure as self-expression. Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for racy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for racy
Adjective
  • Foot traffic at restaurants, shops and mosques sharply declined, turning once-lively economic and social hubs into ghost towns, and threatening to cripple the livelihood of an entire community.
    Yahya Salem, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
  • The lively City Hall gala was Boston’s third official celebration since the city formally recognized the day as a holiday in 2023, and attendees marked the occasion with a range of artistic showcases and performances.
    Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The Freak from The Girls Deli in North Park is a hot sandwich with salty pastrami, brisket, melted jack cheese, bacon, mustard, spicy sriracha mayo, onions, and jalapeños.
    Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
  • The traditional ingredients of a scampi—garlic, white wine, and butter—meld with the essence of a seafood boil thanks to hot sauce, spicy sausage, and Cajun seasoning.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Once released, the two men made animated films for the British war effort (so much for being enemies, or aliens), and then, in 1944, Hoellering took charge of the Academy, a cinema on London’s Oxford Street.
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2026
  • During the trial, many of Cardi's impassioned exchanges with the Janfaza went viral due to her unfiltered, expletive-laced responses and animated expressions, including eye rolls and shrugs.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Wasserman rode on Epstein’s plane and exchanged suggestive messages with Maxwell, the files the DOJ released show.
    Matt Egan, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
  • More disturbingly, some MAGA cultural warriors claimed to be disgusted by Bad Bunny’s suggestive dancing and called for his censorship, harking back to the 1950s, when emerging superstar Elvis Presley was shot by TV cameras from the waist up during his appearance at the Ed Sullivan show.
    Ediberto Roman, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • When the energetic Sun clashes with unpredictable Uranus, plans are likely to wobble, pushing us to adapt expectations and stretch comfort zones.
    Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Good side gigs for these energetic individuals?
    Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The same traits—sloppy reasoning but a desire for collective punishment—animate other immigration-policy announcements.
    Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2026
  • Those same questions animate America’s healthcare system, where nurses, disproportionately women and people of color, shoulder the emotional and physical burden of institutions under stress.
    Richard Fowler, Forbes.com, 30 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • The numbers represent subs launched but not necessarily completed and added to the active-duty fleet, where the US still maintains a large advantage.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Barnes is the third active coach and the ninth all time to win 250-plus games at two schools after going 402-180 at Texas.
    Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Morning habits like brisk walking, jogging, strength training, or short high-intensity workouts have all been linked to lower blood pressure.
    Alexandria Nyembwe, Health, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Many aspects of Elvis’ story are touched on glancingly or not at all in the film’s brisk 90-minute runtime.
    Kim Willis, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Racy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/racy. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.

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