poignant
Comparative
more poignant
Superlative
most poignant
1
causing strong emotions, especially sadness or empathy
- The poignant story of the elderly couple's enduring love brought tears to everyone's eyes.
- The poignant melody of the song stirred up memories of her childhood.
- The poignant sight of the abandoned puppy left her feeling a mixture of sadness and compassion.
- The poignant words of the farewell letter left a lasting impact on those who read it.
- The movie ended with a poignant scene that left the audience in tears.
2
causing a sharp, penetrating impression on the senses, especially smell or taste
- The poignant aroma of aged cheese filled the room.
- A poignant tang of vinegar lingered in the air.
- The sauce had a poignant blend of spice and acidity.
- He remembered the poignant scent of herbs from his grandmother's kitchen.
- A poignant whiff of smoke hinted at the fire's lingering presence.
3
clearly expressed and strongly relevant
- Her poignant reply ended the debate with graceful finality.
- He always had a poignant remark ready for any situation.
- A poignant quote often carries more weight than a long explanation.
- The critic praised the playwright's poignant dialogue for its wit and relevance.
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