as in bitterness
a harsh or sharp quality
there was a poignancy to his wit that often left his targets smarting
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Recent Examples of poignancy
The point is, the hearing aid ups the poignancy meter exponentially.
—
Steven Aquino, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024
Kushner paints a holistic picture, teasing out details of the fraught relationship between Eric and his father Paul, which adds extra poignancy to events.
—Chris Wheatley, Longreads, 3 Dec. 2024
But don’t let the mildly risqué title discourage you from taking in this offering, which not only provides plenty of humor but is also conveyed with emotion and poignancy that might inspire you to appreciate your own family more.
—Greg Braxton, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
Adding poignancy, the narrative is interspersed with obituaries of some of the patients Shelly could not save, showing them as human beings and not just names on a medical chart.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 10 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for poignancy 
Steven Aquino, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024
Kushner paints a holistic picture, teasing out details of the fraught relationship between Eric and his father Paul, which adds extra poignancy to events.
—Chris Wheatley, Longreads, 3 Dec. 2024
But don’t let the mildly risqué title discourage you from taking in this offering, which not only provides plenty of humor but is also conveyed with emotion and poignancy that might inspire you to appreciate your own family more.
—Greg Braxton, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
Adding poignancy, the narrative is interspersed with obituaries of some of the patients Shelly could not save, showing them as human beings and not just names on a medical chart.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 10 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for poignancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poignancy
Noun
-
And for a pick-me-up before or after the slopes, the Double Blacks cafe on the lower level serves espresso drinks, spiced ciders, fresh croissants, and small bites.—
Denny Lee,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Jan. 2025
-
That starts with small bites, including his calas, also known as Creole rice fritters, traditionally a sweet breakfast dish served with cafe au lait.—
Louisa Kung Liu Chu,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
During Vrabel’s early days in Tennessee, players would walk into team meetings on edge.—
Chad Graff,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
-
Amara, a nurse who lives in nearby Valencia, said she’s been on edge for weeks as major blazes devastated Southern California.—
Marcio Jose Sanchez,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
This reader, with at least 50 years more in corporeal form than Ching, could not help but rapidly identify with her wisdom and experience the poignance of her story.—
BostonGlobe.com,
BostonGlobe.com,
9 June 2023
-
The wild-eyed goofy younger Springsteen cracks through, but never lightly, always with poignance.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Apr. 2023
Thesaurus Entries Near poignancy
Cite this Entry
“Poignancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poignancy. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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