February 1, 2026
pungent
/ˈpʌndʒənt/adjective
Having a sharp, strong smell or taste that seems to sting the nose.
Example sentences
- “The pungent smell of raw onions filled the kitchen.”
- “Blue cheese is too pungent for some people's taste.”
Not always an insult: cheeses and mustards are admiringly pungent. Also figurative, as in pungent criticism.