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
Jacinto also brings easygoing warmth and a dash of poignancy to his role as the poster-boy fiancé.
—
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
But Westenberg, who’s a touch too emphatic early on, lends poignancy to the cathartic release that ushers Neil into a new place of self-understanding.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
But Trump’s support essentially clinched it, and the candidates’ eagerness for his backing demonstrated the poignancy of his political influence.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 11 June 2025
Billy Joel's documentary digs deep into past with poignancy – but he's 'not finished yet' Culture Club film delves into history filled with drama, Boy George, love and drugs
‘Walk of Fame’
The most compelling track on an album full of soaring choruses now has an equally absorbing video.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for poignancy
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
But Westenberg, who’s a touch too emphatic early on, lends poignancy to the cathartic release that ushers Neil into a new place of self-understanding.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
But Trump’s support essentially clinched it, and the candidates’ eagerness for his backing demonstrated the poignancy of his political influence.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 11 June 2025
Billy Joel's documentary digs deep into past with poignancy – but he's 'not finished yet' Culture Club film delves into history filled with drama, Boy George, love and drugs
‘Walk of Fame’
The most compelling track on an album full of soaring choruses now has an equally absorbing video.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for poignancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poignancy
Noun
-
The white negroni gets its pleasant bitterness from gin infused with pine nuts.—
Rachel Bernhard,
jsonline.com,
29 Aug. 2025
-
The water cleanses the palate, while the lokum balances the drink’s bitterness.—
Ali Halit Diker,
CNN Money,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
And while winners may be tempted to choose the annuity for an initial lower tax bite and to get more Powerball money, inflation and unforeseeable tax changes over 29 years could eat away at its value.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Get the recipe > This rustic soup from Chiapas, Mexico, features the grassy flavor of fresh chipilín leaves in a rich corn broth, with tender masa dumplings stuffed with creamy queso fresco for a satisfying bite.—
SAVEUR Editors,
Saveur,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
On the southwestern side of the fire, hand crews and dozers began building new containment lines along Sycamore Ridge Road to prevent the westward spread of the fire from the Dinkey Creek drainage and cut the fire off close to its active edge.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The base stores up to three tools, including a corner cleaner and an edge sweeper.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Poignancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poignancy. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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