pungent

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   Having a strong, sharp smell or taste that stings the nose or tongue.

   Grammar: Gradable: something can be more pungent or the most pungent.

   Patterns

   • a pungent smell
   • pungent odor
   • taste pungent

   The pungent smell of vinegar filled the kitchen.

   This cheese is too pungent for me; I prefer something milder.

   A pungent sauce gave the dish a sharp, lasting heat.

2. 2adjectivecomparablefigurative

   Of speech or writing: sharply critical or biting in a way that stings.

   Grammar: Often used before nouns like 'criticism', 'remark', or 'wit'.

   Patterns

   • pungent criticism
   • a pungent remark
   • pungent wit

   Her pungent review made the director wince.

   He is known for his pungent comments on politics.

   The article offered a pungent critique of the new policy.

Word forms

Common combinations

pungent smell

A pungent smell drifted from the garbage bin.

pungent odor

The pungent odor of paint lingered for hours.

pungent taste

The herb has a pungent taste that some people love.

pungent criticism

The proposal drew pungent criticism from local residents.

pungent wit

His pungent wit often got him into trouble.

Synonyms and how they differ

sharp

Sharp can describe a strong smell or taste, but it is more general and less intense than pungent.

acrid

Acrid suggests a bitter, burning smell or taste, often from smoke or chemicals; pungent is broader.

biting

Biting is close for criticism or cold, but for smells it suggests a stinging effect; pungent is more about a strong odor.

Opposites

Word family

pungency noun

The quality of being pungent.

pungently adverb

In a pungent manner.

Commonly confused: pungent or poignant?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “pungent”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words