poignant

[ poin-yuhnt, poi-nuhnt ]

adjective

1. keenly distressing to the feelings:

   poignant regret.

   Synonyms: heartfelt, sincere, intense

   Antonyms: mild

2. keen or strong in mental appeal:

   a subject of poignant interest.

   Antonyms: mild

3. affecting or moving the emotions:

   a poignant scene.

4. pungent to the smell:

   poignant cooking odors.

   Synonyms: sharp, piquant

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

Derived Forms

• ˈpoignantly, adverb
• ˈpoignancy, noun

Other Words From

• poignant·ly adverb
• un·poignant adjective
• un·poignant·ly adverb

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of poignant¹

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

Example Sentences

As we’ve come to expect from PBS children’s programming, the series is funny, sweet, educational and poignant.

From Los Angeles Times

The judges praised McCausland for his "poignant" dance that reflected the experience of blindness.

From BBC

She delivered the tribute dressed in a dark suit in a poignant moment that was in contrast to the upbeat tone of the rest of the ceremony.

From BBC

"It's very poignant to think that I am possibly the first person from Llandudno to visit them since they died."

From BBC

The pair received a score of 33 out of a possible 40 from the judges, with Craig Revel Horwood describing the "poignant blackout moment" as "absolutely spectacular".

From BBC

Related Words

• bitter
• disturbing
• emotional
• heartbreaking
• heartrending
• moving
• passionate
• pathetic
• sad
• sentimental
• touching