01 a. Causing a sharp sensation, as of the taste, smell, or feelings; pricking; biting; acrid; as, a pungent spice.
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1.
Causing a sharp sensation, as of the taste, smell, or feelings; pricking; biting; acrid; as, a pungent spice.“Pungent radish biting infant's tongue.” — Shenstone.“The pungent grains of titillating dust.” — Pope.
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2.
Sharply painful; penetrating; poignant; severe; caustic; stinging.“With pungent pains on every side.” — Swift.“His pungent pen played its part in rousing the nation.” — J. R. Green.
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3.
Prickly-pointed; hard and sharp.(Bot.)
Syn.
Acrid; piercing; sharp; penetrating; acute; keen; acrimonious; biting; stinging.