poignant
adjective
poi·gnant
ˈpȯi-nyənt 
sometimes ˈpȯi(g)-nənt
1
2
a
: pleasurably stimulating
b
: being to the point : apt
3
: pungently pervasive
a poignant perfume
poignantly
adverb
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
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
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
This story of a young boy confronting nature to save his village is both poignant and universal.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024
For me, this idea to offer to the audience to use their imagination was poignant for my own story.
—Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 5 Nov. 2024
But to rediscover Dora Richardson in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month feels especially poignant.
—Katie Hafner, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2024
What seemed funny then now seems poignant as fish stocks have plummeted through overfishing and climate change.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for poignant 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Patrick Frater, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024
For me, this idea to offer to the audience to use their imagination was poignant for my own story.
—Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 5 Nov. 2024
But to rediscover Dora Richardson in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month feels especially poignant.
—Katie Hafner, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2024
What seemed funny then now seems poignant as fish stocks have plummeted through overfishing and climate change.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for poignant
Articles Related to poignant
Dictionary Entries Near poignant
Cite this Entry
“Poignant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poignant. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share