pointed

[ poin-tid ]

adjective

1. having a point or points:

   a pointed arch.

2. sharp or piercing:

   pointed wit.

   Synonyms: epigrammatic, penetrating

   Antonyms: dull, blunt

3. having direct effect, significance, or force:

   pointed criticism.

4. aimed; directed:

   a pointed gun.

5. directed particularly, as at a person:

   a pointed remark.

6. marked; emphasized:

   An unusual turn of phrase, a well-placed emphasis, a choice of adjective, a pointed omission—all can turn an otherwise innocent sentence into a verbal dagger.

7. Heraldry. (of a cross) having parallel sides with points formed by two inclined sides on each end:

   a cross pointed.

pointed

/ ˈpɔɪntɪd /

adjective

1. having a point
2. cutting or incisive

   a pointed wit

3. obviously directed at or intended for a particular person or aspect

   pointed criticism

4. emphasized or made conspicuous

   pointed ignorance

5. (of an arch or style of architecture employing such an arch) Gothic
6. music (of a psalm text) marked to show changes in chanting
7. (of Hebrew text) with vowel points marked

Derived Forms

• ˈpointedness, noun
• ˈpointedly, adverb

Other Words From

• point·ed·ly adverb
• point·ed·ness noun
• mul·ti·point·ed adjective
• self-point·ed adjective
• un·point·ed adjective
• well-point·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pointed¹

A Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; point, -ed ², -ed ³

Example Sentences

While acknowledging that hotel use had increased since the election, she pointed out that it had previously peaked at over 400 hotels under the Conservatives.

From BBC

If sexual "sin" happens — even if it's outright violence — the fingers are pointed directly at the girl or woman for not being "modest" enough.

From Salon

At the gym, we noticed a strange atmosphere - with a suspicious number of his own cameras pointed at us.

From BBC

Dunn pointed out that several countries are taking a "multi-faceted" approach to address a lack of water by combining desalination with methods such as water recycling, rainwater harvesting, and conservation measures.

From Science Daily

They named the animal Skiphosoura bavarica meaning ‘sword tail from Bavaria’ because it comes from southern Germany and has a very unusual short, but stiff and pointed tail.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• barbed
• incisive
• pertinent
• sarcastic
• sharp
• telling
• trenchant