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

"Lemongrass consists of a more floral and earthy aroma, while the other aromas are pungent, spicy or sweet," Loke said.

From Science Daily

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

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

From Los Angeles Times

Global interest in the pungent food has also grown considerably in recent years.

From Salon

Related Words

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