Trenchant vs Pungent - What's the difference?
trenchant | pungent |
(obsolete) Fitted to trench or cut; gutting; sharp.
*1663 ,
*:The trenchant blade, Toledo trusty, / For want of fighting was grown rusty, / And ate into itself, for lack / Of somebody to hew and hack.
(figuratively) Keen]]; [[bite, biting; vigorously effective and articulate; severe; as, trenchant wit.
*1899 ,
*:His eyes, of the usual blue, were perhaps remarkably cold, and he certainly could make his glance fall on one as trenchant and heavy as an axe.
Having a strong odor that stings the nose, said especially of acidic or spicy substances.
* 1991 , , Concrete: American Christmas , Dark Horse Books
Having a strong taste that stings the tongue, said especially of hot (spicy) food, which has a strong and sharp or bitter taste.
Stinging; acerbic.
Having a sharp and stiff point.
As adjectives the difference between trenchant and pungent
is that trenchant is (obsolete) fitted to trench or cut; gutting; sharp while pungent is having a strong odor that stings the nose, said especially of acidic or spicy substances.trenchant
English
Alternative forms
* trenchaunt (obsolete)Adjective
(en adjective)pungent
English
Adjective
(en adjective)- The lasagne included plenty of pungent garlic.
- I can almost smell the fir scent… resinous, pungent .
- The critic gave a pungent review.
