as in sharpened
having an edge thin enough to cut or pierce something
even the most trenchant sword could not sever the bonds of loyalty between them
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Recent Examples of trenchant
Amid the churn in Europe and globally, with trenchant nationalism on the rise, and a war raging in Ukraine just 1,200 miles from the palace, many might say that having a hereditary royal as their head of state offers some reassuring continuity, acting as a counterweight to political upheaval.
—
Vivienne Walt, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
The star forward opened with a prepared statement criticizing the WNBA not only for the state of its on-court officiating — a trenchant topic during this postseason — but for its lack of transparency and accountability, starting with Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 30 Sep. 2025
Michèle comes across as a singular and powerful personality, with something of Akerman’s own trenchant intellect, assertive candor, and vulnerable self-revelation.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025
Despite Lavrov's trenchant remarks, there may be subtle hints that Putin is ready to do a deal — and that's without knowing what has gone on behind closed doors.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trenchant
Vivienne Walt, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
The star forward opened with a prepared statement criticizing the WNBA not only for the state of its on-court officiating — a trenchant topic during this postseason — but for its lack of transparency and accountability, starting with Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 30 Sep. 2025
Michèle comes across as a singular and powerful personality, with something of Akerman’s own trenchant intellect, assertive candor, and vulnerable self-revelation.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025
Despite Lavrov's trenchant remarks, there may be subtle hints that Putin is ready to do a deal — and that's without knowing what has gone on behind closed doors.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trenchant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trenchant
sharp
Adjective
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In Hyderabad, the jump was even sharper, rising from 8 leadership roles in 2024 to 42 year to date.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
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The Southeast could also briefly experience blustery winds and a sharp cold snap, with frost or even a hard freeze reaching inland areas as far south as Georgia and the Carolinas by Tuesday morning.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Trenchant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trenchant. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
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