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 immediacy of these relations and connections contributes warmth and poignancy, but not necessarily deep insight into the man that Kaufman actually became. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2025

The movie got rave reviews at Sundance for its dark humor, poignancy, and the confidence of its debut filmmaker; Victor is certainly one to watch. —Ben Rosenstock, Time, 16 May 2025

To drive home the pain and poignancy of that, the album cover featured a photo of Jeffreys as a child dressed in his baseball uniform to attend the historic game in which Jackie Robinson broke the color line. —Jim Farber, Rolling Stone, 5 June 2025

The movie’s poignancy accumulates gradually, every supple turn expertly modulated as the presence of generations past becomes more tangible. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 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