What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pungently
Example
The cheese smelled pungently of blue mold. [pungently: adverb]
Example
She made a pungent comment about his fashion sense. [pungent: adjective]
Example
The memory of the accident still lingers pungently in my mind. [pungently: adverb]
sharply
Example
He turned sharply to avoid the oncoming car. [sharply: adverb]
Example
The knife had a sharply pointed tip. [sharply: adverb]
Example
She spoke sharply to her children when they misbehaved. [sharply: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sharply is more commonly used than pungently in everyday language. Sharply is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while pungently is less common and more specific to describing smells or tastes.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pungently and sharply?
Both pungently and sharply can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, pungently may be considered more informal due to its association with describing smells or tastes.
