pungent

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   strong and sharp

   The pungent taste of radishes.

2. 2
   adj

   Having a strong odor that stings the nose; said especially of acidic or spicy substances.

   I accidentally dropped the bottle of ammonia and after few seconds, a very pungent stench could be detected.

3. 3
   adj

   Stinging; acerbic.

   The critic gave a pungent review.

Borrowed from Latin pungens (stem pungent-), present participle of pungo (“to sting”). Doublet of poignant.

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