pungency
Sharp sensory quality
Pungency is the quality of being sharp or biting, especially to the senses of taste and smell.
Chili peppers have pungency; so does ammonia.
The word extends to remarks or writing that sting: His criticism had a pungency that left no room for rebuttal.
Pungency implies intensity that commands attention, whether pleasant or not.
Acrid nitrogen-hydrogen gas
- sulfurYellow combustible element
- reekEmit strong odor
- stenchPowerfully offensive odor
- acridUnpleasantly sharp-smelling
pong · rank · fumes · biting · nose · whiff · sharp · smelling salts
Pierce with teeth
- stingSharp wound from insect
- tangSharp, biting flavor
- kickFoot-delivered strike
- heatTransferred thermal energy
edge · intensity · piercing · keenness · acuteness · tartness · zest · twang
Chemically burning; bitterly mocking
- noxiousHarmful, especially when inhaled
- harshUnpleasantly severe or rough
- irritatingCausing mild frustration
- stingingCausing sharp pain
foul · offensive · choking · burning · fumes · toxic · chemical · bitter
Pungent dried berry spice
- horseradishSpicy root used as condiment
- mustardTangy seed-paste condiment
- wasabiPungent green root paste
- gingerPungent culinary rhizome
chili · jalapeno · garlic · onion · radish · cayenne · habanero · sriracha
Having great physical power
- concentratedGathered or intensified
- potentHaving great effect
- powerfulHaving great strength
- overwhelmingIntensely excessive in force
sharp · fierce · robust · pronounced · bold · assertive · dominant · penetrating
ammonia
Acrid nitrogen-hydrogen gas
acrid · pong · rank · fumes · biting · nose · whiff · sharp · smelling salts · vinegar
bite
Pierce with teeth
heat · edge · intensity · piercing · keenness · acuteness · tartness · zest · twang · nip
caustic
Chemically burning; bitterly mocking
- noxiousHarmful, especially when inhaled
- harshUnpleasantly severe or rough
- irritatingCausing mild frustration
stinging · foul · offensive · choking · burning · fumes · toxic · chemical · bitter · unpleasant
pepper
Pungent dried berry spice
- horseradishSpicy root used as condiment
- mustardTangy seed-paste condiment
- wasabiPungent green root paste
ginger · chili · jalapeno · garlic · onion · radish · cayenne · habanero · sriracha · kimchi
strong
Having great physical power
- concentratedGathered or intensified
- potentHaving great effect
- powerfulHaving great strength
overwhelming · sharp · fierce · robust · pronounced · bold · assertive · dominant · penetrating · pervasive
- sensory qualitiestaste, smell, aroma, sound, texture
- taste and smelltaste, smell, flavor, gustation, olfaction
- sensationstaste, touch, smell, sound, pain
- smellssmell, aroma, scent, fragrance, perfume
- taste wordssweetness, sourness, bitter, bitterness, salty
- pungent foodshorseradish, wasabi, raw garlic, raw onion, mustard
pungencymildness
Gentle, moderate quality
blandness · tastelessness · insipidity · insipidness · flatness
pungencydullness
Lack of stimulation
blandness · insipidity · flatness · mildness · gentleness
- pungent odorStrong, sharp smell
- pungent flavorSharp, penetrating taste sensation
- pungent aromaIntense, sharp-smelling odor