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

The rejection was “a pretty poignant sign of the times in a state like California,” said John Kabateck, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, which had urged voters to vote no.

From Los Angeles Times

Rafael Nadal says he would like to be remembered as "a kid who followed their dreams" as the tennis great bid a poignant farewell to the sport.

From BBC

She said: "Fascinating finds include loving letters from Eric's parents and a poignant message from Ernie Wise revealing how close the pair came to splitting up...thankfully that never happened."

From BBC

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

Related Words

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