adjective

pungent

/ˈpʌndʒənt/ · say it: PUN·juhnt

having a sharp, strong smell or taste

In Describing & Comparing

In more detail

1. (adjective) having a strong, sharp smell or taste

2. (adjective) clearly expressed and having a powerful effect on the mind or emotions

Examples

1. The pungent smell of garlic filled the kitchen.
2. The critic made a pungent remark about the actor's poor performance.

How to use pungent

Pungent describes something with a strong sensory impact—either a sharp, often unpleasant smell or taste, or figuratively, pointed and forceful language or ideas. It carries a sense of intensity and sometimes harshness. When applied to sensory experiences, it is more vivid and often more unpleasant than 'strong'; when applied to speech or writing, it emphasizes wit, directness, and emotional impact.

Common phrases

pungent smell
pungent taste
pungent odor
pungent remark
pungent criticism

Synonyms

acrid · sharp · piquant · cutting · biting

Opposites

mild · bland · subtle

Word family

pungency (noun) · pungently (adverb)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use pungent only for smells and forget it can also describe taste or sharp wit; additionally, pungent often has a slightly negative connotation, which some learners miss when using it to describe desirable flavors.

Learn it for good

Save this word in WordVale and it comes back for review right before you'd forget it — with pronunciation, real examples, and optional translations. One purchase, no subscription.

Get WordValeFREE 7-DAY TRIAL · iPHONE & iPAD