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17 results for: pungent

Dictionary Entries (7 more entries. View all »)
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)Cite This Source
pun·gent    Audio Help   [puhn-juhnt] Pronunciation Key
–adjective
1.sharply affecting the organs of taste or smell, as if by a penetrating power; biting; acrid.
2.acutely distressing to the feelings or mind; poignant.
3.caustic, biting, or sharply expressive: pungent remarks.
4.mentally stimulating or appealing: pungent wit.
5.Biology. piercing or sharp-pointed.
[Origin: 1590–1600; < L pungent- (s. of pungéns), prp. of pungere to prick. See poignant, point, -ent]

—Related forms
pun·gen·cy, noun
pun·gent·ly, adverb

—Synonyms 1. hot, peppery, piquant, sharp. 3. sarcastic, mordant, cutting; acrimonious, bitter. 4. keen, sharp.
—Antonyms 1. mild, bland. 3. soothing. 4. dull.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Thesaurus Entries
  Roget's II: The New ThesaurusCite This Source
Main Entry:  pungent
Part of Speech:  adjective
Definition:  Affecting the organs of taste or smell with a strong and often harsh sensation.
Synonyms:  piquant, sharp, spicy, zesty
Source:  Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition
by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary.
Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
  Synonym Collection v1.1Cite This Source
Main Entry:  pungent
Part of Speech:  adjective
Synonyms:  acrid, acrimonious, acute, aromatic, biting, bitter, caustic, cutting, excruciating, flavorful, hot, keen, penetrating, peppery, piercing, piquant, poignant, pointed, provocative, racy, rich, salty, seasoned, severe, sharp, smart, snappy, spicy, stimulating, stinging, strong, tangy, tart, witty, pricking
Source:  Synonym Collection v1.1
Copyright © 2008 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC.
  Roget's II: The New ThesaurusCite This Source
Main Entry:  biting
Part of Speech:  adjective
Definition:  So sharp as to cause mental pain.
Synonyms:  acerbic, acid, acidic, acrid, astringent, caustic, corrosive, cutting, mordacious, mordant, scathing, sharp, slashing, stinging, trenchant, truculent, vitriolic
Source:  Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition
by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary.
Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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