poignant

adjective

poi·​gnant ˈpȯi-nyənt 

 sometimes  ˈpȯi(g)-nənt

1

a(1)

: deeply affecting : touching

a poignant memory of childhood

a poignant story of love, courage, and sacrifice

… this movie isn't a soft-pedaled, poignant tale of addiction and recovery—it's just about the addiction.

—David Crowley

(2)

: painfully affecting the feelings : causing a strong feeling of sadness

a poignant piece of writing

… a poignant reminder of war's human cost.

—Richard Cork

Then passed a few more years, and the deep-felt loss … ceased to be a poignant grief …

—Louise Closser Hale

b

: designed to make an impression : cutting

poignant satire

2

a

: pleasurably stimulating

So what could possibly make the song any more poignant?

—Stephen Daw

b

: being to the point : apt

She made a poignant argument.

3

: pungently pervasive

a poignant perfume

poignantly adverb

Ms. Simpson poignantly describes the emotional repertory of orphanhood …

—Sheila Ballantyne

Did you know?

Poignant comes to English from French, and before that from Latin—specifically, the Latin verb pungere, meaning "to prick or sting." Several other common English words derive from pungere, including pungent, which can refer to, among other things, a sharp odor. The influence of pungere can also be seen in puncture, as well as punctual, which originally meant simply "of or relating to a point." Even compunction and expunge come from this pointedly relevant Latin word.

Synonyms of poignant

• emotional
• impressive

Choose the Right Synonym for poignant

pungent, piquant, poignant, racy mean sharp and stimulating to the mind or the senses.

pungent implies a sharp, stinging, or biting quality especially of odors.

a cheese with a pungent odor

piquant suggests a power to whet the appetite or interest through tartness or mild pungency.

a piquant sauce

poignant suggests something is sharply or piercingly effective in stirring one's emotions.

felt a poignant sense of loss

racy implies having a strongly characteristic natural quality fresh and unimpaired.

spontaneous, racy prose

moving, impressive, poignant, affecting, touching, pathetic mean having the power to produce deep emotion.

moving may apply to any strong emotional effect including thrilling, agitating, saddening, or calling forth pity or sympathy.

a moving appeal for contributions

impressive implies compelling attention, admiration, wonder, or conviction.

an impressive list of achievements

poignant applies to what keenly or sharply affects one's sensitivities.

a poignant documentary on the homeless

affecting is close to moving but most often suggests pathos.

an affecting deathbed reunion

touching implies arousing tenderness or compassion.

the touching innocence in a child's eyes

pathetic implies moving to pity or sometimes contempt.

pathetic attempts to justify misconduct

Examples of poignant in a Sentence

… this movie isn't a soft-pedaled, poignant tale of addiction and recovery—it's just about the addiction. —David Crowley, Vibe, June 2001

In a poignant attempt to split the difference between the two camps, Justices Breyer and David Souter tried to prevent the Court from destroying itself. —Jeffrey Rosen, New Republic, 25 Dec. 2000

I've witnessed the poignant efforts of young whites striving to conform to the vague tenets of the mainstream, taking crushingly dull jobs, settling down with the least challenging of spouses … —Jake Lamar, UTNE Reader, May/June 1992

… a new and sharper and most poignant sense of loss for that broken musical instrument which had once been my leg. —Oliver Sacks, A Leg to Stand On, 1984

The photograph was a poignant reminder of her childhood.

a poignant story of a love affair that ends in tragedy

Recent Examples on the Web

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

At the time of her death, the Obamas made a poignant tribute to the monarch. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 27 Oct. 2025

The film’s star, Sayuri Yoshinaga, was presented with the festival’s lifetime achievement award during a poignant moment at the opening ceremony. —Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English poynaunt, from Anglo-French poinant, poignant, present participle of poindre to prick, sting, from Latin pungere — more at pungent

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

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Kids Definition

poignant

adjective

poi·​gnant ˈpȯi-nyənt 

1

: painfully affecting the feelings : sharp, piercing

poignant grief

2

: deeply affecting : touching

poignantly adverb