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View synonyms for pungent

pungent

[ puhn-juhnt ]

adjective

  1. sharply affecting the organs of taste or smell, as if by a penetrating power; biting; acrid.

    Synonyms: sharp, piquant, peppery, hot

    Antonyms: bland, mild

  2. acutely distressing to the feelings or mind; poignant.
  3. caustic, biting, or sharply expressive:

    pungent remarks.

    Synonyms: bitter, acrimonious, cutting, mordant, sarcastic

    Antonyms: soothing

  4. mentally stimulating or appealing:

    pungent wit.

    Synonyms: sharp, keen

    Antonyms: dull

  5. Biology. piercing or sharp-pointed.


pungent

/ ˈpʌndʒənt /

adjective

  1. having an acrid smell or sharp bitter flavour
  2. (of wit, satire, etc) biting; caustic
  3. biology ending in a sharp point

    a pungent leaf



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Derived Forms

  • ˈpungently, adverb
  • ˈpungency, noun

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Other Words From

  • pungen·cy noun
  • pungent·ly adverb
  • non·pungen·cy noun
  • non·pungent adjective
  • non·pungent·ly adverb

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Word History and Origins

Origin of pungent1

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin pungent-, stem of pungēns “pricking,” present participle of pungere “to prick”; poignant

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Word History and Origins

Origin of pungent1

C16: from Latin pungens piercing, from pungere to prick

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Example Sentences

In addition, Trinidad-style aloo and channa enlists the pungent, floral herb culantro.

Miller lifts the stack of sliced squash and pungent Taleggio cheese with what he calls “excitement bites.”

All of the spices are so pungent and flavorful and perfectly balanced, and it results in so many easy and satisfying meals.

From Eater

By now you’re probably used to dealing with the pungent, sticky mess—but that doesn’t mean you can’t improve the user experience.

The low-and-slow roasting method captures the essence of the allium without the pungent odor and sharp bite.

Regardless, that goes double for a hippy isle full of expats and pungent pot known as Bocas del Toro.

Their free clinic in central Athens is housed in a shabby apartment that smells of feverish bodies and pungent medicine.

On move-in day I opened the front door to a pungent, musky odor of pure mold.

Women who use the pungent coverup make less money than fully topless dancers, but many seem to prefer the alternative.

New hires are also warned not to wear perfume or aftershave that is too pungent.

It curled and twisted in the embers as if it had been a living thing; a puff of smoke, a pungent odour, and it was gone.

It was made from the fibres of the leaves, and was considered among many to be the finest kind of the "pungent dust."

Frederick the Great and Napoleon both loved and used large quantities of the "pungent dust."

In its pure state it is a transparent and colourless gas, having a peculiar pungent smell, and highly soluble in water.

He succeeded, however, and soon was puffing clouds of pungent smoke into the air with the utmost contentment.

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pungaPunic