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
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
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
The wild-eyed goofy younger Springsteen cracks through, but never lightly, always with poignance.
—Christopher Borrelli, Baltimore Sun, 7 Apr. 2023
That means none of the bubble-burst poignance that Bartlett and Natasha Rothwell brought as the servant-victims of getaway decadence.
—Darren Franich, EW.com, 24 Oct. 2022
Transcending expectations is its own expectation, and Midnights makes clear, with modest poignance, that Swift has burned out on her own hype.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2022
See All Example Sentences for poignance
BostonGlobe.com, 9 June 2023
The wild-eyed goofy younger Springsteen cracks through, but never lightly, always with poignance.
—Christopher Borrelli, Baltimore Sun, 7 Apr. 2023
That means none of the bubble-burst poignance that Bartlett and Natasha Rothwell brought as the servant-victims of getaway decadence.
—Darren Franich, EW.com, 24 Oct. 2022
Transcending expectations is its own expectation, and Midnights makes clear, with modest poignance, that Swift has burned out on her own hype.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2022
See All Example Sentences for poignance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poignance
Noun
-
For the next 10 to 48 hours, the paste is gently stirred over very low heat, a step that cooks away any excess bitterness, acidity, and liquid.—
Aleksandra Crapanzano,
The Atlantic,
27 Oct. 2025
-
This brightness is anchored by the deep earthy bitterness of the Cynar, the Japanese Whiskey offers a soft grain finish, and the salt keeps the whole project from becoming too bitter.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Where lions kill quickly, wild dogs devour their prey alive, one bite at a time.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Five of the bakery’s brunch bites are lowering costs, with its Turkish eggs dish taking the largest drop at $3.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Well, let’s get a little personal then – In terms of personal poignancy, what is Sundance, what is Bob Redford’s legacy for you?—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Frank’s background adds poignancy to the case’s outcome.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In the deciding third round, Jandiroba had the edge early on the feet but allowed Dern to land some harder shots late.—
Brett Appley,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
KAConsulting shows a three-point lead (47–44), Quantus Insights finds a two-point edge (48–46), and Trafalgar Group/Insider Advantage reports just a one-point gap (45–44).—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poignance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poignance. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share