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 the most poignant end of that spectrum is Hazan’s near-lifelong management of a disability: a right arm that, having never fully healed after being broken in childhood, remained fixed at a right angle to her body.
—
Guy Lodge, Variety, 9 May 2025
On the Shetland Islands today, a poignant 80th commemoration of Victory in Europe Day in 1945 has been going on all day.
—Heather Farmbrough, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
The doves in the poignant, almost twenty-five-hundred-year-old sculpture look very much like the pigeons walking and flapping around the museum’s plaza along Fifth Avenue, out front.
—Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
But these silly scenes soon become strangely poignant.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for poignant
Guy Lodge, Variety, 9 May 2025
On the Shetland Islands today, a poignant 80th commemoration of Victory in Europe Day in 1945 has been going on all day.
—Heather Farmbrough, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
The doves in the poignant, almost twenty-five-hundred-year-old sculpture look very much like the pigeons walking and flapping around the museum’s plaza along Fifth Avenue, out front.
—Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
But these silly scenes soon become strangely poignant.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for poignant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poignant
Adjective
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In an emotional TikTok video, a woman graduating revealed her parents' solution as her brother also graduated 1,000 miles away: her dad came to her ceremony, while her mother went to her brother's.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 May 2025
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Lawrence — mother to two children now — was visibly emotional talking about working with Ramsay on the subject matter.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
18 May 2025
Adjective
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For decor, Pollock says to let bold colors and spicy details bring the flavor.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 May 2025
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Rivera, who was known as spicy cheerleader Santana, accidentally drowned in July 2020, after going missing while boating with Josey, her 4-year-old son.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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It’s got a wide range from super fine powdery grains to cracked peppercorns and has impressive output with fewer twists.—
Adam Campbell-Schmitt,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
20 May 2025
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Throughout the past three seasons, the show has also boasted an impressive roster of A-list guest stars, including Jamie Lee Curtis, Joel McHale, John Mulaney, Bob Odenkirk, Will Poulter, Olivia Colman, Sarah Paulson, Molly Ringwald, John Cena and Josh Hartnett.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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Guests enjoyed small bites of briny mussels filled with Bluefin tuna, piquant gochujang sardine toasts, and an elegant Korean beef tartare.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
16 May 2025
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The brand contacts bartender Simon Difford for help with an original launch cocktail, and Difford immediately recognizes the capacity of St-Germain to complement the piquant fruit, floral, and mineral qualities in white wine.—
Jason O'Bryan,
Robb Report,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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This recipe would be delicious served at brunch as easily as after supper.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
19 May 2025
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Ambassadors Clubhouse Set on Mayfair’s Heddon Street, Ambassadors Clubhouse has a beautiful year-round terrace that serves up incredible Punjabi dishes and delicious cocktails.—
Rachel Dube,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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The flapjack was fluffy, the taters were crunchy and buttery, the chorizo had a spicy kick, and the pungent sourdough bread crunched.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2025
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According to a Newsweek report on a YouGov poll, more than 80% of Americans consider disruptive behaviors—such as letting children play in the aisles, or eating pungent food—to be unacceptable.—
Darlin Tillery,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 May 2025
Adjective
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There's a fascinating set of new patches Chinese officials released for a series of launches with top-secret satellites over the last two months, Ars reports.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
23 May 2025
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Seeing it through someone else’s eyes must be fascinating.—
Lacey Rose,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Our Pickled de Gallo includes a zesty mix of yellow bell pepper, avocado, tomato, jalapeño, herbs and spices (and of course, pickles) to create the perfect salsa.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 May 2025
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Mariner’s Bar: Located near the hotel’s main entry, this cozy bar features a fireplace and a menu of Southern California-style zesty cocktails.—
Pamela Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poignant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poignant. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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