pungent odor
Nose-wrinkling scent
A pungent odor is a sharp, strong smell that seems to sting the nose—ammonia, vinegar, certain cheeses.
Pungent implies intensity without specifying pleasant or unpleasant, though the phrase often leans toward the latter: A pungent odor wafted from the dumpster.
The smell commands attention; you can't ignore it.
- skunkSpray-armed striped mammal
- acridUnpleasantly sharp-smelling
- ammoniaAcrid nitrogen-hydrogen gas
- cat urineLiquid waste from felines
- garlicPungent culinary bulb
biting · fermented · durian · sharp · locker room · irritation · sulfur · nausea · repugnant · volatile compound · gagging · vinegar · penetrating · burnt rubber · rotten eggs · rotten fish · sewer gas · bleach
- overstimulationsensory overload, overstimulation, cognitive overload, cacophony, overwhelm
- tanneriesleather, hides, pelts, skins, tanning
sensory quality
pungent odorsubtle notes