pungent
adjective
pun·gent
| \ ˈpən-jənt
\
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Definition of pungent
1
: sharply painful
2
: having a stiff and sharp point
pungent leaves
b
: being sharp and to the point
b
: having an intense flavor or odor
a pungent chili
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Examples of pungent in a Sentence
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
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
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
a play with pungent dialogue
a pungent satire of current politics
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Recent Examples on the Web
Perhaps best known for its pungent smell and medicinal properties, ginkgo actually boasts an impressive backstory. — Meilan Solly, Smithsonian, "Smithsonian Scientists Need Ginkgo Leaves to Study Climate Change—They Need Your Help," 6 Aug. 2019 In the 1880s, the Prussian Ministry of Agriculture commissioned the German biologist Albert Bernhard Frank to systematically research the possibility of cultivating truffles—the pungent and delectable fruiting bodies of various fungi. — Ferris Jabr, Harper's magazine, "The Story of Storytelling," 10 Mar. 2019 New York has Buffalo sauce, the South has comeback sauce, and certain parts of the West have a pungent version of fry sauce. — Tim Carman, Washington Post, "We hear you, Pete Buttigieg. Salsa and ranch really do taste great together.," 2 Aug. 2019 Salty feta cheese, pungent scallions, and sweet-tart pomegranate seeds adorned the top of the dish for a colorful and tasty finish. — America’s Test Kitchen, The Denver Post, "Barley makes up the base for this unique, toothy salad," 1 Aug. 2019 The rural community near San Francisco lived and breathed the prized, pungent crop. — Julie Watson, BostonGlobe.com, "California town pledges to remain strong in wake of shooting," 30 July 2019 The Northern California community of Gilroy known for growing garlic and celebrating the prized, pungent crop at one of the largest food fairs in the United States is rallying around the victims — and each other. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "10-year-old dragged toddler to safety as gunfire erupted," 30 July 2019 Sustainable travel tip: Maille boutiques offer the world-famous Dijon mustard on tap, but support local by learning to make your own pungent souvenir from a Burgundy family. — Kimberley Lovato, National Geographic, "5 beautiful cities in France for avoiding the Paris crowds," 24 July 2019 Later; back in the lunar module, its pungent smell—like gunpowder: The pleasure of adapting one’s movements to one-sixth of Earth’s gravity. — Buzz Aldrin, Popular Mechanics, "Why I Walked on the Moon," 20 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pungent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for pungent
pungent
adjective
English Language Learners Definition of pungent
: having a strong, sharp taste or smell
: having a strong effect on the mind because of being clever and direct
See the full definition for pungent in the English Language Learners Dictionary
pungent
adjective
pun·gent
| \ ˈpən-jənt
\
\
Kids Definition of pungent
: having a strong or sharp taste or smell
a pungent odor
pungent
adjective
pun·gent
| \ -jənt
\
\
Medical Definition of pungent
: causing a sharp or irritating sensation
especially
: acrid