poignantly

Meanings

1. 1adverbnot comparable

   In a way that stirs deep, bittersweet feeling, often sadness mixed with tenderness.

   Grammar: Often modifies a verb that expresses or shows something: she poignantly described.

   Patterns

   • poignantly describe something
   • poignantly remind someone of something

   The old photographs poignantly reminded her of the summers they had shared.

   The film poignantly captures what it feels like to leave home.

   He poignantly described his last conversation with his father.

2. 2adverbnot comparableliterary

   Used before an adjective to show that a quality hurts or moves you.

   Grammar: Comes before an adjective: poignantly brief, poignantly beautiful.

   Patterns

   • poignantly adjective

   The song was poignantly short, ending before anyone was ready.

   The empty chair looked poignantly out of place at the table.

Common combinations

poignantly captured

The photographer poignantly captured the farewell at the station.

poignantly expressed

Her gratitude was poignantly expressed in a short letter.

poignantly reminiscent

The melody was poignantly reminiscent of childhood.

poignantly written

The memoir is poignantly written and often hard to put down.

poignantly aware

She was poignantly aware that it was their last dinner together.

Synonyms and how they differ

movingly

Movingly is a general word for touching the emotions, while poignantly adds a note of sadness or longing.

touchingly

Touchingly leans toward warmth and kindness, whereas poignantly leans toward a sharper ache.

sadly

Sadly only says something is sorrowful and misses the tender, reflective feeling poignantly carries.

affectingly

Affectingly is formal and rare and says the effect is strong without naming the sadness.

Opposites

Word family

poignant adjective

causing a sharp feeling of sadness or tenderness

poignancy noun

the quality of being deeply moving

poignance noun

a less common spelling of poignancy

Commonly confused: poignantly or pointedly?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “poignantly”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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