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View synonyms for

poignant

[poin-yuhnt, poi-nuhnt]

adjective

  1. keenly distressing to the feelings.

    poignant regret.

    Synonyms: , ,
    Antonyms:
  2. keen or strong in mental appeal.

    a subject of poignant interest.

    Antonyms:
  3. affecting or moving the emotions.

    a poignant scene.

  4. pungent to the smell.

    poignant cooking odors.

    Synonyms: ,


poignant

/ -nənt, ˈpɔɪnjənt /

adjective

  1. sharply distressing or painful to the feelings

  2. to the point; cutting or piercing

    poignant wit

  3. keen or pertinent in mental appeal

    a poignant subject

  4. pungent in smell

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • poignantly adverb
  • unpoignant adjective
  • unpoignantly adverb
  • ˈǾԲԳٱ adverb
  • ˈǾԲԳ noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of poignant1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English poynaunt, from Middle French poignant, literally, “stinging,” present participle of poindre “to appear, emerge,” earlier “to prick, sting,” from Latin pungere; pungent
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Word History and Origins

Origin of poignant1

C14: from Old French, from Latin pungens pricking, from pungere to sting, pierce, grieve
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

In a few months' time, work will begin to take down the 23-storey building, so this year's eighth anniversary will be especially poignant.

From

As Todd S. Purdum relates in his intimate, often poignant biography, Arnaz was the driving force behind the show and a pioneer of early television.

From

“JanSport Backpack,” is a yearning tune with harmonies and a hazily poignant emotional tone akin to the Beach Boys —another band of Westside brothers and musical observers of youth culture.

From

However, he earned his big break as a songwriter after he penned an unexpectedly poignant jingle for a Crocker-Citizens National Bank commercial.

From

Predicting it will again be Smart’s time to shine, Matt Roush declares, “In the spirit of ‘It’s an honor to be nominated,’ let’s hope Bridget Everett receives that honor for her poignant, soul-baring realism.”

From

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