poignancy

noun

poi·​gnan·​cy ˈpȯi-nyən(t)-sē 

 sometimes  ˈpȯi(g)-nən(t)-sē

plural poignancies

1

: the quality or state of being poignant

2

: an instance of poignancy

Synonyms

• acerbity
• acidity
• acidness
• acridity
• acridness
• acrimoniousness
• acrimony
• acuteness
• asperity
• bite
• bitterness
• edge
• harshness
• keenness
• poignance
• pungency
• roughness
• sharpness
• tartness

Examples of poignancy in a Sentence

there was a poignancy to his wit that often left his targets smarting

Recent Examples on the Web

Here, an excess of material diminishes the film’s humor and poignancy, though many of the story’s characters are colorful enough, when they aren’t written too artificially. —Tomris Laffly, Variety, 18 Oct. 2024

Payne’s memory of the encounter, of course, takes on new meaning and poignancy in the wake of his sudden and shocking death Wednesday in Argentina. —Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2024

Cromer has a singular gift for poignancy without sentimentality. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2024

Home finales tinged with uncertainty and poignancy are nothing new for the Mets, who have employed 10 managers (counting Carlos Beltran, who never managed a game) and nine general managers (counting Jared Porter, who didn’t occupy the office long enough to see a game) this century. —Jerry Beach, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1680, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

poignancy

noun

poi·​gnan·​cy ˈpȯi-nyən-sē 

: the quality or state of being poignant