Pungently

Pungently describes something that affects the senses, typically taste or smell, with a sharp, biting, or acrid quality. It can also be used to describe something that is sharply critical or emotionally intense, causing a strong, often unpleasant, reaction. The word conveys a sense of sharpness, intensity, and a lingering aftertaste or effect. When used in relation to flavor, it suggests a bold and assertive taste that can be overwhelming or bracing. Applied to emotions or speech, 'pungently' indicates a direct, candid, and possibly harsh expression that is intended to provoke a reaction.

Pungently meaning with examples

• The air in the spice market was filled with the pungently aromatic scent of cinnamon and cloves, immediately stimulating the senses. The strong fragrance, a mixture of sweet and spicy, caused an immediate and visceral response, making it difficult to breathe deeply.
• The critic described the play's dialogue as pungently sarcastic, with the sharp barbs highlighting the hypocrisy of the characters and generating a series of audible reactions from the audience. The lines were clearly intended to prick and provoke the viewer.
• The pungent odor of the overripe durian fruit permeated the entire room, causing some people to wrinkle their noses in disgust while others surprisingly found the overpowering aroma oddly pleasant and addictive. It was a polarizing scent.
• The lawyer presented his case pungently, highlighting the defendant's flaws and the prosecution's evidence, which was designed to sway the jury with its clarity, depth and the severity of the accused's offense. The jury was visibly swayed by it.