Pungency: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when describing a strong, often unpleasant smell or taste. It can also refer to a sharpness or acuteness in a figurative sense.

• The pungency of the garlic was overpowering
• Her pungent remarks left everyone in shock

Best used for describing foods with a lot of spicy heat from ingredients like chili peppers.

• The spiciness of the curry was just right
• I love the spiciness of Mexican cuisine

Applicable to both taste and, figuratively, to a person's wit or tone. It can also refer to physical sharpness.

• The sharpness of the cheese was delightful
• Her sharpness in debate is well-known among her peers

Ideal for describing a pleasantly sharp or stimulating taste or an interesting twist in a non-literal context.

• The sauce had just the right amount of piquancy
• His stories always have a certain piquancy that keeps listeners engaged