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

• acerbity
• acidity
• acidness
• acridity
• acridness
• acrimoniousness
• acrimony
• acuteness
• asperity
• bite
• bitterness
• edge
• harshness
• keenness
• poignance
• pungency
• roughness
• sharpness
• tartness

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 chronology-bending structure gives the show a bittersweet poignancy, with each moment tainted by its inverse. —Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2025

There, a wide playing space where our focus could float, softening in the play’s desert air and in the yearning tenderness of its characters, felt exactly right, and Cromer could conduct with more breath, subtle poignancy, and looseness of grip. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025

Kidwell’s memorable preshow performance of songs by Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie adds to the poignancy of her character’s fate. —Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025

This version is understated and plays perfectly into the poignancy behind the possibility that Teri might be among the living and not in the afterlife. —Jen Chaney, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025

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