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

Other Word Forms

• poignantly adverb
• poignancy noun
• unpoignant adjective
• unpoignantly 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 poignant last moments of “The Grand Finale” are satisfying and tearjerking, reflecting both on the pasts and futures of the characters.

From Los Angeles Times

Joan Jacobs died last year, making the theater’s name, which had already been planned, especially poignant.

From Los Angeles Times

But the last first day is an especially poignant reminder that, in many ways, their kids are already gone.

From Los Angeles Times

The sister of a 21-year-old man who died in a motorcycle crash has released a poignant tribute to her big brother, describing him as her "protector and safe place".

From BBC

It’s more a poignant, reflective look at how this country survived the tumult of the ’60s and ’70s by rebooting itself every few years, then running full-speed ahead into something new.”

From Salon

Related Words

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