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
But sink into this wry, poignant story and all is forgiven.
—
Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026
Though the journalists were released within hours, the National Press Workers’ Union issued a poignant statement denouncing the fact that twenty-three of their members were still behind bars, and that censorship remained prevalent in Venezuela.
—Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
This poignant introduction to thesem teto humanizes and individualizes a group too often described by the Brazilian media as a dangerous and parasitic mass.
—Michaëla De Lacaze Mohrmann, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
Liberation is funny, poignant and, yes, liberating in its expression of the very human need for justice and freedom in an era when those words have been co-opted by forces who value only self-enrichment.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poignant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poignant
Adjective
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That increase has come with a financial strain and emotional stress for families across the country and in North Carolina.—
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Her relationship with Kerr hits several bumps, giving Blunt the chance to showcase her emotional range in tense scenes.—
Adjective
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Rye whiskey is the drier and spicier cousin of bourbon with an herbaceous edge, an edge which (as with the Sazerac, La Louisiane and others) is given a few dozen exclamation points with a dash of absinthe.—
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This creamy, cheesy pasta dish gets its extra spicy flavor from Andouille sausage, pepper Jack cheese, and Cajun seasoning.—
Adjective
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This impressive deal only applies to the six-piece set, which includes five compression packing cubes and one drawstring bag in select colors.—
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Joseph’s most recent work in Denver, however, happens to be some of the most impressive as the unit ranked second in total defense, third in scoring and in the top-ten against both the run and pass.—
Adjective
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This year, the most piquant examples of the mad mother arrived in dramas of various hues and temperaments.—
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It is often topped with crispy and raw onions, slathered with piquant sauces (including rémoulade and sweet brown mustard), and served on a toasted bun.—
Adjective
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Soup Up the Basic Chicken Noodle Stir a few tablespoons into the broth of your standard chicken noodle soup for a delicious Mediterranean spin on a favorite.—
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Besides being undeniably delicious, these creations put an end to indecision, offering two craveable recipes in each bite.—
Adjective
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Delicious and pungent, there's no denying that the world of cheese can be a confusing (and rewarding) place.—
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Residents sick of the pungent smell and wary of the crop’s potential associations with the marijuana industry — of which growing, processing and sales are banned in Sutter County and Yuba City — called for an end to hemp farming.—
Adjective
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This season already has plenty of exciting acting talents to spot on the red carpets—including frontrunners such as Chase Infiniti, Renate Reinsve, and Rose Byrne.—
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Craft service had Cinnabons — that was exciting.—
Adjective
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But things got fascinating at the end, with Ole Miss going 40 yards in just a few seconds to set up a Hail Mary for the win.—
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The medical ordeals are traumatic and disgusting, but fascinating and full of the quirks of modern life.—
Cite this Entry
“Poignant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poignant. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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