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Poignant Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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poignant

[หˆpษ”ษชnjษ™nt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

emotions

evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret; deeply moving

Synonyms

emotional, heartbreaking, touching.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
poignant

Use when describing something that deeply affects or moves someone, often in a sad or reflective way.

  • The movie's ending was incredibly poignant, leaving the audience in tears
  • The poignant moment when they said goodbye was unforgettable
touching

Use for something that evokes empathy or heartfelt emotions, often in a gentle and moving way.

  • The touching story of the boy who saved his dog brought everyone to tears
  • Their touching gesture of support meant a lot to her
emotional

Use when referring to something that causes a strong feeling, whether happiness, sadness, anger, or any other emotion.

  • She gave an emotional speech that left everyone inspired
  • The reunion was an emotional experience for the family
heartbreaking

Use for situations that cause extreme sadness or grief.

  • The news of the disaster was truly heartbreaking
  • It was heartbreaking to see the abandoned puppy in such a terrible condition

Examples of usage

  • Her poignant story brought tears to my eyes.
  • The poignant melody reminded me of my childhood.
  • The movie's ending was so poignant that it stayed with me for days.
Context #2 | Adjective

impact

having a strong effect on one's emotions or senses

Synonyms

emotive, powerful, striking.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
poignant

Used when something evokes a sense of sadness or regret, often in a deeply touching way.

  • Her speech was poignant, leaving everyone in tears
  • The filmโ€™s ending was poignant, reminding us all of the fragility of life
powerful

Best used when describing something that has a strong impact or influence, not limited to emotions but also intellectual or physical effects.

  • The speech was powerful and inspired many to take action
  • The images were powerful, leaving a lasting impression on all who saw them
striking

Used for something that is very noticeable or impressive, often in appearance or effect.

  • Her striking outfit caught everyone's attention at the party
  • The painting was striking, with its bold colors and unique design
emotive

Appropriate for describing something that evokes strong emotions, not necessarily sad, but intense in any direction.

  • The music was highly emotive, stirring a range of feelings in the audience
  • The debate became very emotive as people shared their personal stories

Examples of usage

  • The photographs from the war were particularly poignant.
  • The smell of fresh bread always has a poignant effect on me.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'poignant'

The word 'poignant' originated from the Old French word 'poindre' meaning 'to prick'. Over time, it evolved to describe something that pricks or pierces the emotions deeply. The use of 'poignant' in English dates back to the 14th century, and it has retained its powerful emotional connotations through the centuries.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,703, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.