poignant
adjective
Did you know?
Poignant comes to English from French, and before that from Latin—specifically, the Latin verb pungere, meaning "to prick or sting." Several other common English words derive from pungere, including pungent, which can refer to, among other things, a sharp odor. The influence of pungere can also be seen in puncture, as well as punctual, which originally meant simply "of or relating to a point." Even compunction and expunge come from this pointedly relevant Latin word.
Synonyms
- affecting
- emotional
- impactful
- impressive
- moving
- stirring
- touching
Example Sentences
David Crowley, Vibe, June 2001 In a poignant attempt to split the difference between the two camps, Justices Breyer and David Souter tried to prevent the Court from destroying itself. Jeffrey Rosen, New Republic, 25 Dec. 2000 I've witnessed the poignant efforts of young whites striving to conform to the vague tenets of the mainstream, taking crushingly dull jobs, settling down with the least challenging of spouses … Jake Lamar, UTNE Reader, May/June 1992 … a new and sharper and most poignant sense of loss for that broken musical instrument which had once been my leg. Oliver Sacks, A Leg to Stand On, 1984 The photograph was a poignant reminder of her childhood. a poignant story of a love affair that ends in tragedy See More Brendan Morrow, The Week, 1 July 2022 With strikingly relevant subject matter and an Apple TV+ series adaptation under way starring Brie Larson, this darkly funny and poignant novel, out in April, is likely to be a blockbuster. Carole V. Bell, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2022 That push and pull between embarrassment and lust drives much of Pam & Tommy, a whip-smart, funny, and ultimately poignant re-examination of an event that once seemed like an easy punchline for tabloids and Jay Leno monologues. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 26 Jan. 2022 The graceful but long-damaged and disused Sidaway pedestrian bridge, one of the most poignant symbols of Cleveland’s racial unrest in the 1960s, could soon be in line for a comeback. Cliff Pinckard, cleveland, 30 Aug. 2022 Seeing Yad Vashem, the Holocaust museum in Jerusalem, was the trip’s most poignant moment. Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2022 The corncrake’s cry, thought to be loud and harsh, is a poignant reminder for older people of the advent of warmer weather. New York Times, 4 Aug. 2022 Rosinsky ends up handling some of the season’s most and least subtle moments, but gets one of the its most poignant threads when Mac reconnects with her brother (Cliff Chamberlain). Caroline Framke, Variety, 29 July 2022 Wait, is a film adaptation of a series of internet shorts about a talking shell one of the most poignant movies of 2022? Brendan Morrow, The Week, 25 July 2022 See More Word History
Middle English poynaunt, from Anglo-French poinant, poignant, present participle of poindre to prick, sting, from Latin pungere — more at pungent
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
poignant
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- emotional
- impressive
- touching
- inspirational
- exciting
- eloquent
- impactful
- passionate
- dramatic
- moving
- excitable
- meaningful
- affecting
- stirring
- expressive
- theatrical
- provoking
- melodramatic
- theatric
- feeling
- demonstrative
- significant
- cathartic
- rousing
- sensitive
- responsive
- stimulating
- histrionic
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unemotional
- dispassionate
- unimpressive
- cool
- detached
- unaffecting
- deadpan
- cold
- emotionless
Synonyms & Similar Words
- spicy
- piquant
- fascinating
- pungent
- delicious
- provocative
- zingy
- zesty
- savory
- salty
- biting
- interesting
- pert
- savoury
- enlightening
- trenchant
- intriguing
- exciting
- riveting
- provoking
- peppery
- engrossing
- gripping
- acute
- flavorful
- invigorating
- enthralling
- mordant
- racy
- fiery
- galvanizing
- engaging
- vinegary
- energizing
- scrumptious
- absorbing
- tasty
- delectable
- hot
- arresting
- bitter
- toothsome
- appetizing
- keen
- luscious
- gingery
- cutting
- palatable
- animating
- ambrosial
- piquing
- savorous
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- insipid
- predictable
- tasteless
- ponderous
- tedious
- banal
- dry
- uninteresting
- flat
- boring
- dull
- monotonous
- arid
- zestless
- dreary
- wearisome
- barren
- colorless
- leaden
- drab
- tiring
- pedestrian
- weak
- humdrum
- flat
- numbing
- thin
- stodgy
- savorless
- flavorless
- bland
- stale
- wearying
- watery
- dilute
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of poignant are affecting, impressive, moving, pathetic, and touching. While all these words mean "having the power to produce deep emotion," poignant applies to what keenly or sharply affects one's sensitivities.
Affecting is close to moving but most often suggests pathos.
In some situations, the words impressive and poignant are roughly equivalent. However, impressive implies compelling attention, admiration, wonder, or conviction.
Although the words moving and poignant have much in common, moving may apply to any strong emotional effect including thrilling, agitating, saddening, or calling forth pity or sympathy.
The words pathetic and poignant can be used in similar contexts, but pathetic implies moving to pity or sometimes contempt.
While in some cases nearly identical to poignant, touching implies arousing tenderness or compassion.