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
The drama of sport, the truth of fiction, the humanity of documentary, the poignancy of comedy, serious entertainment – this year’s nominees reflect every aspect of the human condition.
—
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2025
While there’s an extra poignancy in the work being shown at a museum on the National Mall, it wasn’t intended to be site-specific, and Pendleton was first pulled in by the visual rather than historical aspect of the event.
—Stephanie Rudig, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
Prince William Joins World Leaders at Pope Francis' Funeral
Santa Maria Maggiore held deep poignancy for Francis and was one of his favorite places in Rome.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 27 Apr. 2025
The chronology-bending structure gives the show a bittersweet poignancy, with each moment tainted by its inverse.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poignancy
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2025
While there’s an extra poignancy in the work being shown at a museum on the National Mall, it wasn’t intended to be site-specific, and Pendleton was first pulled in by the visual rather than historical aspect of the event.
—Stephanie Rudig, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
Prince William Joins World Leaders at Pope Francis' Funeral
Santa Maria Maggiore held deep poignancy for Francis and was one of his favorite places in Rome.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 27 Apr. 2025
The chronology-bending structure gives the show a bittersweet poignancy, with each moment tainted by its inverse.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poignancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poignancy
Noun
-
The agency says that the disease is carried by mosquito bites, and symptoms include fever, pain, and other flu-like symptoms.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
15 May 2025
-
The baby is a twin, and her twin brother also had bite marks on his feet, officials said.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
Noun
-
The Indian army said in a statement late on Friday that drones were sighted in 26 locations across a wide area of India's west and northwest from Kashmir and states bordering Pakistan to the edge of the Arabian Sea.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
11 May 2025
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Toll-takers on the Venetian Causeway were in their booths as the tornado swept through just yards away, tearing into trees at a small public park at water’s edge.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
10 May 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 21 May. 2025.
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