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

Red Star turns a 19th century congress into poignant tribute.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s not the funniest comedy on TV, but it may be the most watchable and poignant.

From Salon

Villarreal: A lot of what we see from your character comes through in what isn’t said, and it’s so painful and poignant to watch.

From Los Angeles Times

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

Related Words

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