poignant

adjective

poi·​gnant ˈpȯi-nyənt 

 sometimes  ˈpȯi(g)-nənt

1

a(1)

: painfully affecting the feelings : piercing

(2)

: deeply affecting : touching

b

: designed to make an impression : cutting

poignant satire

2

a

: pleasurably stimulating

b

: being to the point : apt

3

: pungently pervasive

a poignant perfume

poignantly adverb

Did you know?

Poignant comes to English from French, and before that from Latin—specifically, the Latin verb pungere, meaning "to prick or sting." Several other common English words derive from pungere, including pungent, which can refer to, among other things, a sharp odor. The influence of pungere can also be seen in puncture, as well as punctual, which originally meant simply "of or relating to a point." Even compunction and expunge come from this pointedly relevant Latin word.

Synonyms

• affecting
• emotional
• impactful
• impressive
• moving
• stirring
• touching

Choose the Right Synonym for poignant

pungent, piquant, poignant, racy mean sharp and stimulating to the mind or the senses.

pungent implies a sharp, stinging, or biting quality especially of odors.

a cheese with a pungent odor

piquant suggests a power to whet the appetite or interest through tartness or mild pungency.

a piquant sauce

poignant suggests something is sharply or piercingly effective in stirring one's emotions.

felt a poignant sense of loss

racy implies having a strongly characteristic natural quality fresh and unimpaired.

spontaneous, racy prose

moving, impressive, poignant, affecting, touching, pathetic mean having the power to produce deep emotion.

moving may apply to any strong emotional effect including thrilling, agitating, saddening, or calling forth pity or sympathy.

a moving appeal for contributions

impressive implies compelling attention, admiration, wonder, or conviction.

an impressive list of achievements

poignant applies to what keenly or sharply affects one's sensitivities.

a poignant documentary on the homeless

affecting is close to moving but most often suggests pathos.

an affecting deathbed reunion

touching implies arousing tenderness or compassion.

the touching innocence in a child's eyes

pathetic implies moving to pity or sometimes contempt.

pathetic attempts to justify misconduct

Examples of poignant in a Sentence

… this movie isn't a soft-pedaled, poignant tale of addiction and recovery—it's just about the addiction. —David Crowley, Vibe, June 2001

In a poignant attempt to split the difference between the two camps, Justices Breyer and David Souter tried to prevent the Court from destroying itself. —Jeffrey Rosen, New Republic, 25 Dec. 2000

I've witnessed the poignant efforts of young whites striving to conform to the vague tenets of the mainstream, taking crushingly dull jobs, settling down with the least challenging of spouses … —Jake Lamar, UTNE Reader, May/June 1992

… a new and sharper and most poignant sense of loss for that broken musical instrument which had once been my leg. —Oliver Sacks, A Leg to Stand On, 1984

The photograph was a poignant reminder of her childhood.

a poignant story of a love affair that ends in tragedy

Recent Examples on the Web

This poignant work analyzes the death of Cecil the Lion, examining both the ethics of trophy hunting and the broader implications on wildlife conservation efforts. —Katya Soldak, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

Speaking to parents of other childhood cancer patients, the senator heard poignant stories of families with no health care coverage, mortgaging their homes and going into debt because of the hand fate had dealt them. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024

The Princess of Wales has written a poignant letter to guests attending her fourth carol service amid her own cancer recovery Comments Kate Middleton is sharing an emotional Christmas message. —Simon Perry, People.com, 30 Nov. 2024

The holidays always inspire a sleigh-full of plays and musicals in the Bay area, ranging from poignant to perfectly silly. —Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 28 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English poynaunt, from Anglo-French poinant, poignant, present participle of poindre to prick, sting, from Latin pungere — more at pungent

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

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Kids Definition

poignant

adjective

poi·​gnant ˈpȯi-nyənt 

1

: painfully affecting the feelings : sharp, piercing

poignant grief

2

: deeply affecting : touching

poignantly adverb