You can use trenchant to describe something such as a criticism or comment that is very clear, effective, and forceful.
[formal]
He was shattered and bewildered by this trenchant criticism.
His comment was trenchant and perceptive.
Synonyms: clear, driving, strong, powerful More Synonyms of trenchant
More Synonyms of trenchant
trenchant in British English
(ˈtrɛntʃənt)
adjective
1.
keen or incisive
trenchant criticism
2.
vigorous and effective
a trenchant foreign policy
3.
distinctly defined
a trenchant outline
4. archaic or poetic
sharp
a trenchant sword
Derived forms
trenchancy (ˈtrenchancy)
noun
trenchantly (ˈtrenchantly)
adverb
Word origin
C14: from Old French trenchant cutting, from trenchier to cut; see trench
trenchant in American English
(ˈtrɛntʃənt)
adjective
1. Archaic
cutting; sharp
2.
keen; penetrating; incisive
trenchant words
3.
forceful; vigorous; effective
a trenchant argument
4.
clear-cut; distinct
a trenchant pattern
SIMILAR WORDS: inˈcisive
Derived forms
trenchancy (ˈtrenchancy)
noun
trenchantly (ˈtrenchantly)
adverb
Word origin
ME < OFr, prp. of trenchier: see trench
Examples of 'trenchant' in a sentence
trenchant
Quite trenchant in his views about right and wrong.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Some have seen the increasingly trenchant opinion of the editors as reflecting a growing commercialism.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Nowadays historians rarely express such trenchant views.
The Times Literary Supplement (2014)
He had trenchant views on many of the issues of the day.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
He makes trenchant criticisms of the diplomatic service, some justified.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Last year, she caused controversy with her trenchant comments on pushy parenting.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Being outside the mainstream has left Feng with trenchant views on the value of film school.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In unusually trenchant criticism, they say that the reasons were entirely political and blame ministers for retreating under pressure.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Ministers and officials must be able to offer frank opinions and make trenchant judgments if they are to do their jobs properly without fear of disclosure.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Today, although mellow and quietly reflective, his trenchant views have not changed.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
In all of them, he shows his skill in fusing cultural and historical knowledge, personal anecdotes and trenchant opinions.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
1 (adjective)
Definition
keen or incisive
He was shattered by the trenchant criticism.
Synonyms
scathing
He then launched a scathing attack on previous leaders.
pointed
a pointed remark
cutting
People make cutting remarks to help themselves feel superior to others.
biting
This was the most biting criticism made against her.
sharp
‘Don't criticize your mother,’ was his sharp reprimand.
keen
a keen sense of humour
acute
His relaxed exterior hides an extremely acute mind.
severe
The team has suffered severe criticism from influential figures.
acid
a comedy told with compassion and acid humour
penetrating
a penetrating mind
tart
The words were more tart than she had intended.
pungent
He enjoyed the play's shrewd and pungent social analysis.
incisive
a shrewd operator with an incisive mind
hurtful
sarcastic
She poked fun at people's shortcomings with sarcastic remarks.
caustic
He was well known for his abrasive wit and caustic comments.
astringent
an astringent satire on Hollywood
vitriolic
There was a vicious and vitriolic attack on him in the tabloids.
acerbic
comments made in a spirit of acerbic wit
piquant
a mixed salad with a piquant dressing
mordant
He describes the situation with mordant wit.
acidulous
his dry, acidulous wit
mordacious
Opposites
kind
,
soothing
,
appeasing
,
mollifying
2 (adjective)
Definition
vigorous and effective
His comment was trenchant and perceptive.
Synonyms
clear
driving
Consumer spending was the driving force behind growth this summer.
strong
The evidence that such investment promotes growth is strong.
powerful
a big, powerful man
effective
You can't make an effective argument if all you do is stridently voice your opinion.
distinct
There was a distinct change in her attitude.
crisp
explicit
He left explicit instructions on how to set the alarm.
vigorous
potent
The treatment is extremely potent, but can have unpleasant side-effects.
energetic
an energetic public-relations campaign
clear-cut
forceful
This is a forceful argument for joining them.
emphatic
His response was immediate and emphatic.
unequivocal
Richardson's unequivocal commitment to fair play
salient
well-defined
effectual
the most effectual means of preserving peace
distinctly defined
Opposites
obscure
,
vague
,
unclear
,
woolly
,
nebulous
,
ill-defined
,
indistinct
Additional synonyms
in the sense of acerbic
Definition
harsh or bitter
comments made in a spirit of acerbic wit
Synonyms
sharp,
cutting,
biting,
severe,
acid,
bitter,
nasty,
harsh,
stern,
rude,
scathing,
acrimonious,
barbed,
unkind,
unfriendly,
sarcastic,
sardonic,
caustic,
churlish,
vitriolic,
trenchant,
acrid,
brusque,
rancorous,
mordant,
mordacious
in the sense of acid
Definition
sharp in speech or manner
a comedy told with compassion and acid humour
Synonyms
sharp,
cutting,
biting,
severe,
bitter,
harsh,
stinging,
scathing,
acrimonious,
barbed,
pungent,
hurtful,
sarcastic,
sardonic,
caustic,
vitriolic,
acerbic,
trenchant,
mordant,
mordacious
in the sense of acidulous
his dry, acidulous wit
Synonyms
sharp,
cutting,
biting,
acid,
bitter,
harsh,
sour,
pungent,
caustic,
vitriolic
Nearby words of
trenchant
tremor
tremulous
trench
trenchant
trend
trendsetter
trendy
Synonyms of 'trenchant'
trenchant
Explore 'trenchant' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of acute
Definition
penetrating in perception or insight
His relaxed exterior hides an extremely acute mind.
Synonyms
perceptive,
sharp,
keen,
smart,
sensitive,
clever,
subtle,
piercing,
penetrating,
discriminating,
discerning,
ingenious,
astute,
intuitive,
canny,
incisive,
insightful,
observant,
perspicacious (formal),
on the ball (informal)
in the sense of astringent
Definition
severe or harsh
an astringent satire on Hollywood
Synonyms
severe,
strict,
exacting,
harsh,
grim,
stern,
hard,
rigid,
rigorous,
stringent,
austere,
caustic,
acerbic
in the sense of biting
Definition
sarcastic
This was the most biting criticism made against her.
Synonyms
sarcastic,
cutting,
sharp,
severe,
stinging,
withering,
scathing,
acrimonious,
incisive,
virulent,
caustic,
vitriolic,
trenchant,
mordant,
mordacious
in the sense of caustic
Definition
bitter and sarcastic
He was well known for his abrasive wit and caustic comments.
Synonyms
sarcastic,
biting,
keen,
cutting,
severe,
stinging,
scathing,
acrimonious,
pungent,
vitriolic,
trenchant,
mordant,
mordacious
in the sense of cutting
Definition
(of a remark) likely to hurt the feelings
People make cutting remarks to help themselves feel superior to others.
Synonyms
hurtful,
wounding,
severe,
acid,
bitter,
malicious,
scathing,
acrimonious,
barbed,
sarcastic,
sardonic,
caustic,
vitriolic,
trenchant,
pointed,
mordacious
in the sense of distinct
Definition
obvious
There was a distinct change in her attitude.
Synonyms
definite,
marked,
clear,
decided,
obvious,
sharp,
plain,
apparent,
patent,
evident,
black-and-white,
manifest,
noticeable,
conspicuous,
clear-cut,
unmistakable,
palpable,
recognizable,
unambiguous,
observable,
perceptible,
appreciable
in the sense of driving
Consumer spending was the driving force behind growth this summer.
Synonyms
forceful,
sweeping,
dynamic,
compelling,
vigorous,
energetic,
galvanic
in the sense of effective
Definition
impressive
You can't make an effective argument if all you do is stridently voice your opinion.