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
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Recent Examples of pungency
Not long ago, the residents of Gowanus, in Brooklyn, began to notice that the smell of their canal, known for its unpleasant odor since the Gilded Age, had reached a new level of pungency.
—
Jake Offenhartz, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2024
Rich, intense, and kissed with the signature pungency of blue cheese, there is nothing quite like a cut of dry-aged beef.
—Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 30 July 2024
The bread’s soft, moist textures contrast with the tiny crunches of cacao nibs, ending with perfect pungency from black cardamom.
—Bahar Anooshahr, The Arizona Republic, 4 June 2024
Leaving the pulp and skin in place give black peppercorns their pungency as opposed to white pepper, whose surrounding pulp and skins have been removed, imparting a milder flavor to this spice.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 20 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pungency
Jake Offenhartz, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2024
Rich, intense, and kissed with the signature pungency of blue cheese, there is nothing quite like a cut of dry-aged beef.
—Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 30 July 2024
The bread’s soft, moist textures contrast with the tiny crunches of cacao nibs, ending with perfect pungency from black cardamom.
—Bahar Anooshahr, The Arizona Republic, 4 June 2024
Leaving the pulp and skin in place give black peppercorns their pungency as opposed to white pepper, whose surrounding pulp and skins have been removed, imparting a milder flavor to this spice.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 20 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pungency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pungency
Noun
-
Whole spices will hold onto their flavor and aroma for about two to four years, according to USDA.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
16 Feb. 2025
-
If red is the move, an aged Montepulciano from Abruzzo brings dark fruit and earthy charm, while a classic Rioja Crianza, with its warm spice and subtle oak, is always a safe—and seductive—bet.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
One bite and your neighbors may never try a frozen version again.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
20 Feb. 2025
-
The result is a bite so flavor-dense that just a few ounces can amp up an entire dish.—
Jolene Thym,
The Mercury News,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The key to its flavor is a balance of sweet, spice, piquancy and heat, which creates a balanced and addictive bite.—
Lynda Balslev,
The Mercury News,
17 June 2024
-
While there are pops of piquancy in Landon’s script, her direction and the performances (with the exception of Woodard) fail to inspire much more than a shrug.—
Katie Walsh,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2024
Noun
-
There was a pervasive sense of indignation from current and former European officials, who have funneled significant aid to Ukraine and are deeply worried about how a ceasefire deal could impact the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) eastern edge.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
15 Feb. 2025
-
The Pirates got to almost every loose ball and played with an edge that was nowhere to be found for the Huskies.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Two successive home losses have carried the stale tang of a side in need of a refresh and a veering between extremes.—
George Caulkin,
The Athletic,
5 Feb. 2025
-
Then it all gets tossed with Parmesan for a salty tang.—
Melissa Clark,
New York Times,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Medium-full with very good concentration and cleansing acidity.—
Tom Hyland,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
-
The wine adds a nice acidity and body to the sauce.—
Catherine Jessee,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Our new Creole Shrimp skillets appease guests with an appetite for fresh flavors and zest this season; for those wanting something a bit more indulgent, our new OREO® Stuffed Cheesecake Pancakes, a new twist on our staple Strawberry Stuffed Cheesecake Pancakes, are sure to delight.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Southern Living,
12 Feb. 2025
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Pete Alonso, the first baseman known for his signature power and zest for hitting home runs, has agreed to a two-year, $54 million contract to return to the New York Mets, league sources confirmed to The Athletic on Wednesday.—
Will Sammon,
The Athletic,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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But this exploration undercuts the poignancy of Girls on Wire, adding a third, more opaque thread, to the film’s two clearer ones.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
17 Feb. 2025
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Their epic battle of wills comes to verge on black comedy, but the widow’s simultaneous battle with her own mortality gives the novel an unexpected poignancy.—
The New Yorker,
The New Yorker,
23 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Pungency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pungency. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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