as in spicy
sharp and pleasantly stimulating to the mind or senses
a piquant tidbit of information about the new neighbors the piquant cuisine of India boasts some highly spiced dishes
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Recent Examples of piquant
This technique involves high-heat oven roasting, which deepens the tomato flavor, softens the onions and garlic, and imparts a subtle smoky note, resulting in a vibrant and piquant salsa.
—
Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2025
From plates of Jamon Iberico and piquant tomato salads to fresh sea bass and succulent steaks, the vibe here harnesses a hyper-local sensibility that roots you in the destination.
—Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
It’s slicked with tomato and distinguished by a piquant sweet and sour sauce (or agrodolce), studded with sharp, briny olives and capers, and sweetened with raisins and honey.
—Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 22 July 2025
Or hamachi crudo in a piquant blend of fish sauce, lime juice, and peach.
—Lia Picard, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for piquant
Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2025
From plates of Jamon Iberico and piquant tomato salads to fresh sea bass and succulent steaks, the vibe here harnesses a hyper-local sensibility that roots you in the destination.
—Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
It’s slicked with tomato and distinguished by a piquant sweet and sour sauce (or agrodolce), studded with sharp, briny olives and capers, and sweetened with raisins and honey.
—Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 22 July 2025
Or hamachi crudo in a piquant blend of fish sauce, lime juice, and peach.
—Lia Picard, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for piquant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piquant
Adjective
-
Glancing around the standing-room-only party, filled with joyful hugs and happy chatter as guests drank spicy margaritas and nibbled on fries in paper cones printed with quotes from the book, a dazed Brown smiled.—
Hadley Meares,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Oct. 2025
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Best said that raw purees of garlic, onion, and ginger are spicy and pungent.—
Kathleen Ferraro,
Verywell Health,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
To be going home to Sunday dinner at one o’clock, sweat socks pungent from twenty-one innings of softball, underwear athletically gamy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Oct. 2025
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Spices like cinnamon or nutmeg typically work best for sweet dishes, while cloves or other types of spice blends usually pair best with more pungent, savory ones.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
But for those crafting it with Boorman, the nightmare is more painful and more poignant than that.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
24 Oct. 2025
-
But there’s something different — something more poignant — about watching this particular circle begin to vanish.—
Benjamin Svetkey,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
White wine, shallots, and lemon zest and juice build on what the butter and garlic get started, and a couple tablespoons of capers give the dish a zesty tang.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
15 Oct. 2025
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According to information obtained by PEOPLE, Retro Diet Coke Lime is returning to shelves nationwide, with its signature zesty lime kick that first won hearts before being discontinued in 2018.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
But harness a touch of Scotland’s inimitable peat, and the Rob Roy really steps into its own, the vermouth offering sweetness to the scotch’s smoke, their interplay both delicious and unique.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
25 Oct. 2025
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Greet guests with a warm welcome, a house drink, and a few delicious appetizers.—
Nellah Bailey McGough,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The smoky-sweet sauce on the tender pulled brisket beautifully balances the creamy, savory macaroni and cheese.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
21 Oct. 2025
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From savory chili to a decadent tiramisu, here are 7 ways to make the most of Autumn’s best flavor.—
The Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This homemade corn bread layers sweet, spicy, and salty in one skillet.—
Katlyn Moncada,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Oct. 2025
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There were too many of the bulky, sweet styrofoam mochi waffle crisps and not enough seaweed/salty furikake, and the errant corn chips (faux-Fritos) and wasabi peas were in tragic shortage.—
Alex Beggs,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Piquant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piquant. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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