poignant

poi·gnant

adjective \ˈpȯi-nyənt sometimes ˈpȯi(g)-nənt\

Definition of POIGNANT

1

: pungently pervasive <a poignant perfume>

2

a (1) : painfully affecting the feelings : piercing (2) : deeply affecting : touching

b : designed to make an impression : cutting <poignant satire>

3

a : pleasurably stimulating

b : being to the point : apt

— poi·gnant·ly adverb

Examples of POIGNANT

1. The photograph was a poignant reminder of her childhood.
2. <a poignant story of a love affair that ends in tragedy>
3. … this movie isn't a soft-pedaled, poignant tale of addiction and recovery—it's just about the addiction. —David Crowley, Vibe, June 2001
4. 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
5. 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
6. … 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

Origin of POIGNANT

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

Related to POIGNANT

Synonyms

affecting, emotional, impactful, impressive, moving, stirring, touching

Antonyms

unaffecting, unemotional, unimpressive

Related Words

eloquent, expressive, meaningful, significant; demonstrative, excitable, feeling, passionate, responsive, sensitive; exciting, inspirational, provoking, rousing, stimulating; dramatic, histrionic, melodramatic, theatrical (also theatric); cathartic

Near Antonyms

cold, cool, detached, dispassionate, emotionless; deadpan

See Synonym Discussion at pungent, moving