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

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

From The Wall Street Journal

The book is potent, pungent and powerful on every page, full of excitement and zany counterculture cool and spiced with Mr. Freston’s razor-sharp observations and quick wit.

From The Wall Street Journal

And Joq is genuinely fascinated by the way hickory smoke mellows and rounds out a pungent blue cheese.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Sometimes, it would be really, really pungent,” she recalled, adding that she’d get headaches and feel like throwing up.

From Los Angeles Times

It was as if someone had made a goulash out of spoiled fish, sprinkled it with pungent cheese, and then served it in an unsanitary shoe.

From Literature

Related Words

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