The term 'bitterly pungent' can be described by the crossword solutions of ACRID (5 letters), RAIL (4 letters), railed (6 letters), and RUE (3 letters). ACRID is an adjective that means having a sharp, biting taste or smell. RAIL is a verb meaning to criticize harshly or angrily. Railed is the past tense of RAIL, meaning to have criticized harshly or angrily. Lastly, RUE is a verb meaning to feel deep sorrow or regret for something. Together, these words describe a situation in which someone has been harshly criticized and is now feeling deep sorrow or regret.