POIGNANCE Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

poignance

noun

ˈpȯi-nyən(t)s

Definition of poignance

as in bitterness

a harsh or sharp quality there's a mean-spirited poignance to the novel's satiric portrait of Hollywood

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of poignance That milestone might have held a particular poignance for Branch Rickey. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Jan. 2025 Babe Ruth and other Yankee teammates appear in the film, thus adding to its authenticity and poignance. — Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024 Horowitz’s operation embodied both the allure and the poignance of the trade. — Tad Friend, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024 This reader, with at least 50 years more in corporeal form than Ching, could not help but rapidly identify with her wisdom and experience the poignance of her story. — BostonGlobe.com, 9 June 2023 See All Example Sentences for poignance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for poignance

Noun

Instead, that generation’s gesture seems to be stymied or to miss its target and end in bitterness—which is precisely what gives these artists’ work at its best a poignancy on the other side of its aggression and humor.

— Barry Schwabsky, ARTnews.com, 8 Sep. 2026
This copper beauty serves up bold floral and citrus aromas, plus the signature IPA bitterness.

— Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of bitterness

Noun

Summer squash stuffed pasta at BoccaLupo House-made, delicate parcels of pasta are stuffed with tender summer squash, tasting nostalgically like a Southern squash casserole, all wrapped into a single bite.

— Angela Hansberger, AJC.com, 6 Sep. 2026
Breakker needs a win here to go back to the days in which he was considered the man with the loudest bark and the biggest bite.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of bite

Noun

Lewie Coyle is now ready to make his Premier League debut after working his way up English football’s ladder, but there is a poignancy to the story after father Chris, a market trader in their home city, died in 2022.

— Hannah Vanbiber, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
But because Kore-eda’s subpar script is short on emotional depth, the director leans on Bandoh to sell a poignancy the audience isn’t feeling.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026

Definition of poignancy

Noun

The Eagles were not as dominant in 2025, partly due to the regression of the depth in their secondary and the injuries sustained at edge rusher.

— Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
The facilities would include what’s known as an edge computing data center, which typically is much smaller than traditional data centers and which Global Stack says would require lower utility use and no municipal water connection.

— Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of edge

Browse Nearby Words

pogroms

poignance

poignancy

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Style

“Poignance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poignance. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of poignance

noun

Example Sentences

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