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 of poignancy

• bitterness
• bite
• edge
• poignance

Examples of poignancy in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

The performance’s poignancy was underlined by background vocals from singers Tiffany Stevens and Ebony Franklin. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2026

His work is a beautiful, and urgent, reminder of the poignancy of life’s smallest moments. — Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026

Look past the 1951 setting, however, and the movie's anti-war message about humanity being on a crash course to destruction has never lost its poignancy. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026

The fourth season’s penultimate episode features a pregnancy revelation, the unmasking of a secret villain, and, in its final moments, an unexpected loss that lends an extra layer of poignancy to the episode’s title. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2026

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