poignancy

noun

poi·​gnan·​cy ˈpȯi-nyən(t)-sē 

 sometimes  ˈpȯi(g)-nən(t)-sē

plural poignancies

1

: the quality or state of being poignant

2

: an instance of poignancy

Synonyms

• acerbity
• acidity
• acidness
• acridity
• acridness
• acrimoniousness
• acrimony
• acuteness
• asperity
• bite
• bitterness
• edge
• harshness
• keenness
• poignance
• pungency
• roughness
• sharpness
• tartness

Examples of poignancy in a Sentence

there was a poignancy to his wit that often left his targets smarting

Recent Examples on the Web

And its exploration of how past experiences can shape present lives adds depth and poignancy. —Barbara Ellis, The Denver Post, 3 Feb. 2025

For now, that personal poignancy and cutting-edge tech can comfortably coexist at the Grammys, which will play a major role to set guardrails of what writing, performing and recording music fundamentally means today. —August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025

Eternal Father Ömer Sami trained a camera on a cable technician in northern England and let the poignancy fly. —Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Jan. 2025

Passion, poignancy, ecstasy, agony and a Tic Tac ad Best game Everton 2-0 Liverpool, of course. —Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1680, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

poignancy

noun

poi·​gnan·​cy ˈpȯi-nyən-sē 

: the quality or state of being poignant