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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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
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
-
Add the lime juice just before serving to preserve brightness and prevent bitterness.—
Kate Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
-
How did someone emerge from such darkness without becoming consumed by bitterness?—
Norman B. Gildin,
Sun Sentinel,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Aguirre hoped his team would shake off nerves following the emotional opener at Azteca Stadium and show more bite in its second game against South Korea, but his team didn’t have much power behind its attack during the game’s first 45 minutes.—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
Nosh on lamb skewers or savor bites of sweet plantains.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
The enchanting woodsy and pastoral backgrounds when the action moves from the residential suburbs to the rural outskirts add to that poignancy, as do the dulcet tones of Randy Newman’s score.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 June 2026
-
The women were shown snoozing while the movie did its best to not disturb their slumber—revealing an additional, crucial poignancy.—
Erik Adams,
The Atlantic,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Puff sleeves, a scalloped hem, lace trim, and eyelet detailing give this top a soft, feminine edge.—
Jill Layton,
PEOPLE,
19 June 2026
-
Rainwater tends to stockpile on the edges of roads.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Poignance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poignance. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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