Wit having a sharp and caustic quality:
— He commented with typical pungency.

synonym: bite.

Roget 392b: bitterness, acridness^†, acridity, acrimony; caustic, alkali; acerbity; gall, wormwood; bitters, astringent bitters.    Angostura [additive for alcoholic beverages], aromatic bitters.    sourness etc. 397; pungency etc. 392.    [bitter substances] alkaloids; turmeric.    ... show more

Roget 171: energy, physical energy, force, power etc. 157; keenness etc. adj.; intensity, vigor, strength, elasticity; go; high pressure; fire; rush.    acrimony, acritude^†; causiticity^†, virulence; poignancy; harshness etc. adj.; severity, edge, point; pungency etc. 392.    cantharides; seasoning etc. (condiment) 393.    activity, agitation, effervescence; ferment, fermentation; ebullition, splutter, perturbation, stir, bustle; voluntary energy etc. 682; quicksilver.    resolution etc. (mental energy) 604; exertion etc. (effort) 686; excitation etc. (mental) 824.    ... show more

A strong odor or taste property:
— The pungency of mustard.

synonyms: bite, raciness, sharpness.

Roget 392: pungency, piquance, piquancy, poignancy haut-gout, strong taste, twang, race.    sharpness etc. adj.; acrimony; roughness etc. (sour) 392; unsavoriness etc. 395.    mustard, cayenne, caviare; seasoning etc. (condiment) 393; niter, saltpeter, brine (saltiness) 392.1; carbonate of ammonia; sal ammoniac^†, sal volatile, smelling salts; hartshorn (acridity) 401.1. dram, cordial, nip.    nicotine, tobacco, snuff, quid, smoke; segar^†; cigar, cigarette; weed; fragrant weed, Indian weed; Cavendish, fid^†, negro head, old soldier, rappee^†, stogy^†.    ... show more

Dutch: stank