[pun.gent] adj [L pungent-, pungens, prp. of pungere to prick, sting; akin to L pugnus fist, pugnare to fight, Gk pygme fist] (1597) 1: sharply painful
2: having a stiff and sharp point "~ leaves" 3 a: marked by a sharp incisive quality: caustic "a ~ critic" "~ language" b: being sharp and to the point
4: causing a sharp or irritating sensation; esp: acrid -- pun.gent.ly adv syn pungent, piquant, poignant, racy mean sharp and stimulating to the mind or the senses. pungent implies a sharp, stinging, or biting quality esp. of odors "a cheese with a pungent odor". piquant suggests a power to whet the appetite or interest through tartness or mild pungency "a piquant sauce". poignant suggests something is sharply or piercingly effective in stirring one's consciousness or emotions "felt a poignant sense of loss". racy implies having a strongly characteristic natural quality fresh and unimpaired "spontaneous, racy prose".