pungent

American  

[puhn-juhnt] / ˈpʌn dʒənt /

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.

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pungent British  

/ 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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Other Word Forms

• nonpungency noun
• nonpungent adjective
• nonpungently adverb
• pungency noun
• pungently adverb

Etymology

Origin of pungent

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

Example Sentences

"When the shop worker took the bag inside, they noticed that this particular donation had a distinctive pungent aroma," a police spokesperson told the New Zealand Herald.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

Aside from being a general nuisance with their ferocious snores, pungent odors and growls, bears can do serious damage to a home.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 9, 2026

Once the horns state a theme in pungent harmony, a series of solos ensues.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 15, 2025

As pungent as our political discourse may often be, calling for a sacking still has an extra severity to it.

From BBC • Oct. 30, 2025

I suddenly see vines and lush plants clumped together, and the air is pungent with the smell of life.

From "Counting by 7s" by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Related Words

• acid
• acrid
• aromatic
• bitter
• peppery
• piquant
• poignant
• salty
• sharp
• sour
• spicy
• stinging
• tangy
• zesty