1
as in emotional
having the power to affect the feelings or sympathies
a poignant story of a love affair that ends in tragedy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in spicy
sharp and pleasantly stimulating to the mind or senses
a poignant truthfulness to the author's observations on marriage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of poignant
Howie Triest, an American soldier who served as a German interpreter for Kelley’s interactions, and whose own backstory is later delivered in a poignant monologue that will unlikely leave a dry eye in the house.
—
Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
Through his testimony and memories, the filmmakers add a poignant note about the grandeur and unique appeal that cinema held decades ago — a status that has since been diluted with the proliferation of other entertainment media.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 7 Sep. 2025
Pitted against the unforgettably evil Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher), a sadist who drugs and abuses the unlucky patients in her care, McMurphy’s stand against the oppressive powers that be is tragic and poignant and spoke to the spirit of a time in which so many felt misunderstood.
—Christina Newland, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Funny, poignant, heartwarming, and endlessly surprising, Stuffed is an accomplished and playful take on what an original independent musical can be.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poignant
Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
Through his testimony and memories, the filmmakers add a poignant note about the grandeur and unique appeal that cinema held decades ago — a status that has since been diluted with the proliferation of other entertainment media.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 7 Sep. 2025
Pitted against the unforgettably evil Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher), a sadist who drugs and abuses the unlucky patients in her care, McMurphy’s stand against the oppressive powers that be is tragic and poignant and spoke to the spirit of a time in which so many felt misunderstood.
—Christina Newland, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Funny, poignant, heartwarming, and endlessly surprising, Stuffed is an accomplished and playful take on what an original independent musical can be.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poignant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poignant
Adjective
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To navigate emotional volatility, understand what behaviors are acceptable to you and create clear boundaries with the ones that are not.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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The emotions of that victory two years ago were apparent at the time — Sirianni was bombastic exiting the field after the emotional win — but there is no concept of revenge this time.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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For a little bit of spicy kick, make the pimiento cheese with pepper Jack instead of Cheddar.—
Ann Taylor Pittman,
Southern Living,
12 Sep. 2025
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The star, of course, is ginger root oil—its warm, spicy aroma is blended with cardamom, clove, and coriander, plus a hit of citrus oils (lime, orange, bergamot, grapefruit) and eucalyptus for an energizing, feel-good scent.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Yet last week’s warning from Jet2, a business respected for its cost control and excellent customer service, has served as a reminder that, for all the impressive growth of recent years, this remains a volatile and sometimes unpredictable sector.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
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This ambitious tour spans multiple continents, covering several countries and cities with an impressive run of dates.—
Jenzia Burgos,
StyleCaster,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The tequila daisy cocktail, served in a clay cantarito cup smudged with sumac salt, is piquant with ancho verde, mellowed with summer strawberry.—
Rachel Bernhard,
jsonline.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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His piquant style of writing in the unfinished tell-all feels like dropping into a gossip circle in the most glamorous (and cutting) powder room on the planet.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The Bitter Mai is also, improbably, absolutely delicious.—
Jason O'Bryan,
Robb Report,
13 Sep. 2025
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Stanway plays in Kelly on the left wing, who delivers a delicious ball for Russo to head home.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Once these yellow, red, orange, or cream blooms appear, squirrels will leave them alone due to their strong, pungent odor.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
4 Sep. 2025
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Swift kept experimenting to make her music more pungent, more extreme, even more her.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Understanding that a hot exo-atmosphere would be large and inflated in size, and that graphite would absorb practically all of the starlight impacting that atmosphere if there were a high-altitude layer of it, represents a fascinating scenario for explaining the features of these planets.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
10 Sep. 2025
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Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Or tender, juicy mojo pork marinated with savory cumin and cilantro, and brightened with zesty lime and orange juices.—
Martie Bowser,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
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The opening hits you with a beautiful mandarin that feels fresh and zesty, paired with the sweetest marshmallow accord that somehow manages to feel both powdery and fluffy at the same time.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poignant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poignant. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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