as in bitterness
a harsh or sharp quality
there was a poignancy to his wit that often left his targets smarting
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Recent Examples of poignancy
There’s a grandfather quality to Kani’s Sam, but the increase in years has only deepened the play’s poignancy.
—
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
The timing of the words added poignancy to the messages.
—John Odenthal, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
But the scene’s real poignancy will come from their sudden realization of how completely wrong their assumptions have been about the public’s attitude towards their products.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
Preston is a fun, engaging storyteller whose work balances humor and poignancy.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for poignancy
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
The timing of the words added poignancy to the messages.
—John Odenthal, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
But the scene’s real poignancy will come from their sudden realization of how completely wrong their assumptions have been about the public’s attitude towards their products.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
Preston is a fun, engaging storyteller whose work balances humor and poignancy.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for poignancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poignancy
Noun
-
Add the lime juice just before serving to preserve brightness and prevent bitterness.—
Kate Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
-
How did someone emerge from such darkness without becoming consumed by bitterness?—
Norman B. Gildin,
Sun Sentinel,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
The brakes have an initial bite, but are satisfyingly firm.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
12 June 2026
-
Before the development of effective antivenoms and modern critical care, bites from snakes with comparable venom profiles had much graver prognoses.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Puff sleeves, a scalloped hem, lace trim, and eyelet detailing give this top a soft, feminine edge.—
Jill Layton,
PEOPLE,
19 June 2026
-
Rainwater tends to stockpile on the edges of roads.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
Tharmarajah provides a great balance of comic relief and utter poignance, explaining his survival techniques as an orphan, carving out a pragmatic path in life leading to a particular kind of soaring.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
3 June 2026
-
The literature created by AI is dull and devoid of any real poignance.—
Elizabeth Bruenig,
The Atlantic,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Poignancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poignancy. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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