RACY Synonyms: 162 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'racy' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of racy are piquant , poignant , and pungent . While all these words mean "sharp and stimulating to the mind or the senses," racy implies having a strongly characteristic natural quality fresh and unimpaired. // spontaneous, racy prose

Q: When might 'piquant' be a better fit than 'racy'?

While in some cases nearly identical to racy , piquant suggests a power to whet the appetite or interest through tartness or mild pungency. // a piquant sauce

Q: In what contexts can 'poignant' take the place of 'racy'?

The synonyms poignant and racy are sometimes interchangeable, but poignant suggests something is sharply or piercingly effective in stirring one's emotions. // felt a poignant sense of loss

Q: Where would 'pungent' be a reasonable alternative to 'racy'?

While the synonyms pungent and racy are close in meaning, pungent implies a sharp, stinging, or biting quality especially of odors. // a cheese with a pungent odor

racy

adjective

ˈrā-sē

Definition of racy next

as in lively

having much high-spirited energy and movement vivid writing and a racy plot that keeps readers turning the pages

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in spicy

hinting at or intended to call to mind matters regarded as indecent a raunchy comedy with language that was a little too racy for an eight-year-old child

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective racy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of racy are piquant, poignant, and pungent. While all these words mean "sharp and stimulating to the mind or the senses," racy implies having a strongly characteristic natural quality fresh and unimpaired.

spontaneous, racy prose

When might piquant be a better fit than racy?

While in some cases nearly identical to racy, piquant suggests a power to whet the appetite or interest through tartness or mild pungency.

a piquant sauce

In what contexts can poignant take the place of racy?

The synonyms poignant and racy are sometimes interchangeable, but poignant suggests something is sharply or piercingly effective in stirring one's emotions.

felt a poignant sense of loss

Where would pungent be a reasonable alternative to racy?

While the synonyms pungent and racy are close in meaning, pungent implies a sharp, stinging, or biting quality especially of odors.

a cheese with a pungent odor

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of racy YouTube/Screenshot by NPR The New York City priest who was disciplined last year for letting pop star Sabrina Carpenter film a racy music video inside his church is now being accused of mishandling nearly $2 million in parish funds. —

Rachel Treisman, NPR, 20 Nov. 2024 Zoey Deutch, who recently made her Broadway debut in a production of Thornton Wilder's Our Town, found herself in an embarrassing situation when an opening night gift to her classmates unwittingly tapped into a racy backstage tradition. —

Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 20 Nov. 2024 Harris' court case attracted lots of attention, with some clamoring for Sam to return to his devilish lifestyle and animal rights activists demanding the chimp be released from his racy conditions. —

Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 13 Nov. 2024 Christina Aguilera also paid homage to the Goddess of Pop for Halloween 2023, posting a racy reel to her Instagram. —

Toria Sheffield, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for racy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for racy

Adjective

There’s lively interplay with Rick Rosato on bass and Jonathan Pinson on drums.

— Giovanni Russonello, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Given its flavor and sensory profiles, Barbera is an ideal selection at lunch, especially as its lively acidity cuts through the fatty qualities of all types of salumi.

— Tom Hyland, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025