1
as in emotional
having the power to affect the feelings or sympathies
a poignant story of a love affair that ends in tragedy
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in spicy
sharp and pleasantly stimulating to the mind or senses
a poignant truthfulness to the author's observations on marriage
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of poignant
On Tuesday, Sky TV released the first look at the poignant Matt Smith-starring series, which is set to bring Cave’s dark comedy book to the small screen.
—
Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
Somber but powerful, a visit allows people to take in the poignant USS Arizona Memorial – built directly over where the battleship sank, bringing the lives of over 1,000 crew members down with it and oil sheens still bubble up – along with the museum and other historic sites.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Now you’re known for this very serious, poignant story.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025
The tastemaker brings to light a particularly poignant anecdote to illustrate the fact that her style decisions in the White House were nothing if not calculated — in many cases exerting a certain degree of soft power.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poignant
Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
Somber but powerful, a visit allows people to take in the poignant USS Arizona Memorial – built directly over where the battleship sank, bringing the lives of over 1,000 crew members down with it and oil sheens still bubble up – along with the museum and other historic sites.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Now you’re known for this very serious, poignant story.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025
The tastemaker brings to light a particularly poignant anecdote to illustrate the fact that her style decisions in the White House were nothing if not calculated — in many cases exerting a certain degree of soft power.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poignant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poignant
Adjective
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Shouts for it will be met by angry fingers jutted towards the various gaffes played ad nauseam on Sky Sports’ weekly Ref Watch, or the mandatory pause before the emotional unleashing as VAR mulls over whether a goal is a goal or just a hoax.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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But del Toro expands the emotional spectrum with forgiveness.—
Gerrad Hall,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Eragon has a different approach altogether with its spicy amber profile.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
6 Nov. 2025
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Dishes include banana bread pudding or spinach frittata with goat's cheese for breakfast and pork shoulder with figs, or Orecchiette with spicy vodka sauce for lunch and dinner.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Brazil is set to introduce an ambitious and innovative new system for financing forest protection (more on that below) and Lula comes into COP30 with an impressive record of successful forest protection.—
Jeff Young,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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From the facade crafted from hinoki wood, a rare cypress that’s often reserved for Japanese temples and shrines, to impressive cultural programming and exhibitions, there’s always something worth seeing.—
Jade Moyano,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Try the Mezzrole, a piquant blend of French limes, Pickett’s spicy-sweet ginger syrup, and tart rice vinegar that finishes with notes of sea salt.—
Chala June,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
29 Oct. 2025
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The spicy Korean burger is for the more adventurous among us, but the piquant pickled slaw on top is super addictive.—
Jared Kaufman,
Twin Cities,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Some even suggested delicious baking uses for the new treats.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
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Includes gardening tips to grow perfect perennials and chiles for every palate, plus articles on delicious Ukrainian food dishes and Christmas family traditions, banana recipe contest winners and practical life advice.—
Alex Perry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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At the cocktail bar Muamba, owner Yvens Penna brightens a classic margarita with homemade chicória soda crafted from a pungent local herb that tastes like cilantro on steroids.—
Michael Snyder,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
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To keep pungent grease smells at bay, plan to thoroughly clean your range hood, specifically the vent, every 3 to 6 months.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Shirley Valentine serves as an escape for those who envision a life more exciting, a fact to which Collins attributed its success.—
Lisa de los Reyes,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
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Surveying the broader landscape of AI benchmarks, Mahdi said researchers and developers have many exciting avenues to explore.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Jarcovjáková makes for a fascinating subject, especially as someone capturing her own emotional dissatisfaction through the contours of her body and face.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
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Next door, a small museum traces its fascinating journey from prison to protected paradise.—
Carla Vianna,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poignant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poignant. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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