pungent

pun·gent

adj \ˈpən-jənt\

Definition of PUNGENT

1

: sharply painful

2

: having a stiff and sharp point <pungent leaves>

3

a : marked by a sharp incisive quality : caustic <a pungent critic> <pungent language> b : being sharp and to the point

4

a : causing a sharp or irritating sensation; especially : acrid b : having an intense flavor or odor <a pungent chili>

— pun·gent·ly adverb

Examples of PUNGENT

1. a play with pungent dialogue
2. a pungent satire of current politics
3. The left has often complained that what it needs isn't polite speech, but voices as pungent as those on the right. —Jennifer Senior, New York Times Book Review, 24 Sept. 2006
4. I remember the enormous size of that fire and the pungent smell of smoke from the burning chaparral as the flames raced up the slope toward our house. —Tim White, Curious Minds, 2004
5. Maybe what seems pungent to the locals only becomes alarming when sniffed through a giant Western proboscis, but there are some odors in China that make a visit to Bhopal seem like a picnic downwind from the Arpege factory. —P. J. O'Rourke, Holidays in Hell, 1988

Origin of PUNGENT

Latin pungent-, pungens, present participle of pungere to prick, sting; akin to Latin pugnus fist, pugnare to fight, Greek pygmē fist

First Known Use: 1597

Related to PUNGENT

Synonyms: nippy, sharp, strong, tangy

Antonyms: bland, mild, smooth

Related Words: acid, acidic; acrid, bitter, harsh; gingery, hot, peppery, piquant, spicy, tart, zesty, zingy; putrid, rancid, rank, skunky; acute, keen; animating, energizing, exciting, galvanizing, invigorating, provocative; appetizing, delectable, delicious, palatable, toothsome; flavorful, savory (also savoury), tasty; aromatic, redolent

Near Antonyms: aged, mellow, ripe; gentle, soft; flat, flavorless, insipid; savorless, tasteless, zestless; dilute, thin, watery, weak

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Synonym Discussion of PUNGENT

pungent, piquant, poignant, racy mean sharp and stimulating to the mind or the senses. pungent implies a sharp, stinging, or biting quality especially of odors <a cheese with a pungent odor>. piquant suggests a power to whet the appetite or interest through tartness or mild pungency <a piquant sauce>. poignant suggests something is sharply or piercingly effective in stirring one's emotions <felt a poignant sense of loss>. racy implies having a strongly characteristic natural quality fresh and unimpaired <spontaneous, racy prose>.