trenchant

adjective

tren·​chant ˈtren-chənt 

1

: keen, sharp

2

: vigorously effective and articulate

a trenchant analysis

also : caustic

trenchant remarks

3

a

: sharply perceptive : penetrating

a trenchant view of current conditions

b

: clear-cut, distinct

the trenchant divisions between right and wrong

—Edith Wharton

trenchantly adverb

Did you know?

There’s much to know about the word trenchant, but we’ll cut to the chase. The word trenchant comes from the Anglo-French verb trencher, meaning “to cut.” Hence, a trenchant sword is one with a keen edge. Nowadays, trenchant mostly describes things that don’t cut deep literally, but that are still felt: a trenchant remark is one that cuts close to the bone, and a trenchant observation is one that cuts to the heart of the matter. In addition to meaning “caustic” and “sharply perceptive,” trenchant also carries a sense meaning “very strong, clear, and effective” that may be used, for instance, to describe a persuasive essay written with intellectual rigor. If you find yourself forgetting these “edgy” definitions, you might dig up a familiar relative of trenchant: the noun trench, which refers to a long cut or ditch in the ground.

Synonyms

• sharpened
• sharp
• cutting

Examples of trenchant in a Sentence

a writer with a trenchant wit

even the most trenchant sword could not sever the bonds of loyalty between them

Recent Examples on the Web

Perhaps the most trenchant query came from John Whittingdale, MP for Maldon and East Chelmsford, and chair of the Culture, Media and Sport select committee. —Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 June 2025

To wit: her eloquent and trenchant dissent in the nine-member court’s decision on Friday. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025

There’s a buddy comedy element to Godard’s at times tempestuous relationship with his producer that makes for some of this film’s most trenchant inquiries into the filmmaking mindset. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 17 May 2025

Reassembling the excellent cast from the low-profile 2023 premiere in Los Angeles, Mamet reels us in with some of his most trenchant writing in years. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English trenchaunt, from Anglo-French, present participle of trencher

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for trenchant

• penchant

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Kids Definition

trenchant

adjective

tren·​chant ˈtren-chənt 

1

: having a sharp edge or point : cutting

2

: sharply perceptive : penetrating

a trenchant view of the situation

3

: forceful and effective in expressing ideas

a trenchant analysis

trenchantly adverb