pungency

noun

ˈpən-jən(t)-sē How to pronounce pungency (audio)
Definition of pungencynext
1
as in bitterness
a harsh or sharp quality the pungency of the vinegar gives the salad dressing the kick that it needs

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in spice
the quality or state of being stimulating to the mind or senses theatergoers have long delighted in the pungency and wit of the play's dialogue

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 pungency The Scherzo married sweetness and pungency. — Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle, 21 Mar. 2026 Key Takeaways Capsaicin, the bioactive compound that gives chili peppers their pungency, can impact your gastrointestinal system and digestion. — Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 17 Feb. 2026 The hard edges and pungency of a relatively cheap, unaged spirit were far less visible in the Viriato samples. — Christopher Null, Wired News, 11 Nov. 2025 This historic two-game parlay of pungency followed up a classic, a double-overtime loss to Oregon, back when Franklin’s inability to beat high-ranking opponents was his biggest problem. — Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pungency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pungency
  1. bitterness
  2. spice
  3. bite
  4. piquancy
  5. edge
  6. tang
  7. acidity
  8. zest
Noun
  • This copper beauty serves up bold floral and citrus aromas, plus the signature IPA bitterness.
    — Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Little united the Syrian rebels during the country’s civil war from 2011 to 2024 outside of their hatred of Assad, and Damascus has sought to cultivate this memory of bitterness to keep the country’s disparate groups together.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of bitterness
Noun
  • Cherry tomatoes and a homemade lime dressing add acidity, while red onion, red bell pepper, and jalapeño add crunch and spice.
    — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2026
  • For a state facing persistent challenges from drought, heat and limited water, researchers hope one of the world's most valuable spices could offer Colorado farmers a new opportunity—one uniquely suited to the state's climate.
    — Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of spice
Noun
  • The lawsuit further alleged that Trader Joe’s put its crustless PB&Js peanut in packaging that too closely resembled the coloring of an Uncrustables box and featured a similar photograph of a sandwich with a bite taken out of one side.
    — Dee-Ann Durbin, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Throughout the night, creatives grazed on light bites from Goop Kitchen—the teriyaki salmon hand rolls were a crowd favorite—and bopped to the tunes from DJ Mariko.
    — Paul Chi, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of bite
Noun
  • Those split levels of child and adult consciousness give the film a certain piquancy, a little gap where drama can spark in a story where almost nothing really happens except a kid takes a plane ride, or several plane rides, with his mom.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
  • That Mann himself had written stories on gay themes added to the piquancy of the encounter.
    — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of piquancy
Noun
  • The negative is that rookie edge Keyron Crawford is out for the year with an ankle injury.
    — Sam Warren, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • China continues to rely on Dutch manufacturer ASML for nearly all of its cutting-edge deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography machines, while some DUV systems encounter US export restrictions.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of edge
Noun
  • The kumquat shrub soda ($5) marries the citric brightness of kumquat with the tang of vinegar, brought to life with sparkling water.
    — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Sour cream adds moisture and a slight tang to the cake layer, which helps to balance the sweetness of the brown sugar and peach topping.
    — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of tang
Noun
  • Today’s recipe A basic vinaigrette is a balancing act between acidity and fat.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • White vinegar is a common household cleaner that can take the musty scent out of some towels because of its high acidity.
    — Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of acidity
Noun
  • Add the coconut sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and lemon zest.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Add some flair The zest of a lemon, finely grated with a Microplane, is non-negotiable in my book.
    — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of zest

Browse Nearby Words

pundits
pungency
pungent
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Cite this Entry

“Pungency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pungency. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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