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

Derived Forms

• ˈpungently, adverb
• ˈpungency, noun

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pungent¹

C16: from Latin pungens piercing, from pungere to prick

Example Sentences

Adam Schiff — “sleazebag,” “low life,” “little pencil neck,” to use some of the pungent ways Donald Trump describes him — is taking the high road, turning the other cheek and generally being the better man by ignoring all that and promising to do whatever he can to work and thrive in a MAGA-fied Washington, D.C.

From Los Angeles Times

A pungent, fishy rancid odor has been wafting through the coastal air in Los Angeles this week, an unfortunate consequence of beautiful bioluminescent algae that has graced local beaches for a fortnight.

From Los Angeles Times

Also, the flower gets pollinated by the insects attracted to its rotten smell, “typically sweat bees, flesh flies and carrion beetles who enjoy the pungent odor,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Others complained about the woodsy, pungent flavor.

From Los Angeles Times

Now, nearly a year later, the pungent odors persist, and have been reported in neighborhoods several miles away.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• barbed
• biting
• bitter
• caustic
• incisive
• peppery
• piercing
• poignant
• salty
• scathing
• spicy
• telling
• trenchant
• zesty