as in bitterness
a harsh or sharp quality
there was a poignancy to his wit that often left his targets smarting
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Recent Examples of poignancy
There's a poignancy to Simon's struggle that feels relatable to anybody stuck in their career or passion pursuits.
—
Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Digital copies of about half his earlier works survived and the California African American Museum recognized the poignancy of pairing them.
—Kara Finnstrom, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
However things turn out next month, Bowe’s 38th birthday will coincide with another passage in her life, one dripping with anticipation and, perhaps, a dose of poignancy.
—Steve Buckley, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
The land there glows with poignancy about this time, when the old year is not quite dead and the new one not quite ready.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for poignancy
Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Digital copies of about half his earlier works survived and the California African American Museum recognized the poignancy of pairing them.
—Kara Finnstrom, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
However things turn out next month, Bowe’s 38th birthday will coincide with another passage in her life, one dripping with anticipation and, perhaps, a dose of poignancy.
—Steve Buckley, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
The land there glows with poignancy about this time, when the old year is not quite dead and the new one not quite ready.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for poignancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poignancy
Noun
-
As excited as Celebrini was to be back in San Jose, there was still some bitterness as to how the Olympic tournament ended.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Matcha provides the color and gives it a slight yet pleasant green-tea bitterness.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The four-piece set—a loveseat, two chairs, and a matching table—comfortably seats up to four, providing a perfect spot for small bites and drinks.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Wisconsin Watch is a member of the Gigafact program, newsrooms across the US that deliver bite-sized fact checks of trending claims.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The texture is a bit sticky, though blends out with ease for soft edges and a natural finish.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Rainwater tends to gather along the road edges.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There’s a particular poignance to Manousos giving this speech — an honest-to-goodness monologue by his standards — at the Darién Gap, amid the detritus of migrants who have shed their belongings to take this path from South to Central America.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
12 Dec. 2025
-
By contrast, Borghi limns a figure of comingled sensuality, threat and eventual poignance, without ever appearing to reach for effect.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poignancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poignancy. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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