1. the quality of causing the mouth to pucker or feel dry, typically from tannins in food or drink
2. harshness or severity in manner, speech, or conditions
Usage: formal

Examples

• The astringency of the red wine made her mouth feel dry.
• Green tea’s astringency comes from its high tannin content.
• The unripe persimmon’s astringency was almost unbearable.
• He spoke with an astringency that silenced the room.
• The critic’s review had an astringency that stung the author.
• The astringency of the medicine made it difficult to swallow.