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poignant

2 synonyms and 3 antonyms for poignant, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adj — Deeply moving, often with a touch of sadness.

Synonyms by Meaning

1. adj

Deeply moving, often with a touch of sadness.

“The film's final scene was quietly poignant.”

Opposites

2. adj

Sharply relevant or incisive.

“His poignant observation cut right to the heart of the debate.”

Opposites

How to use poignant

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

poignant moment poignant reminder deeply poignant

Etymology

From Old French poindre, "to prick," from Latin pungere, "to pierce, sting" — the same root as "pungent."

Full origin of poignant →

Frequently asked questions

What does “poignant” mean?
The word “poignant” means deeply moving, often with a touch of sadness. In plain terms, something that stirs up strong, often bittersweet, emotion.
How do you pronounce “poignant”?
“Poignant” is pronounced POY-nyuhnt (/ˈpɔɪ.njənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “poignant” in a sentence?
Here is “poignant” used in a sentence: “The film's final scene was quietly poignant.”
What part of speech is “poignant”?
“Poignant” is an adjective.
Where does the word “poignant” come from?
The word “poignant” comes from Latin. From Old French poindre, "to prick," from Latin pungere, "to pierce, sting" — the same root as "pungent.".
Is “poignant” a common word?
“Poignant” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “poignant” have?
“Poignant” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: deeply moving, often with a touch of sadness.

Related words

poignancy poignantly

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Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.