poignant
/ˈpɔɪn.jənt/
Group 24Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret GRE
Example in Context
The soldier's poignant letter home, written the night before the battle, was later published as a testament to the human cost of the conflict.
Synonyms
touchingmovingemotional
Etymology
Having the quality of pricking one's emotions deeply.
- pungere (Latin) — to prick
- -ant (Latin) — having the quality of
Memory Aid
🗡️Sounds like “point-ant”
A sharp POINT-ANT poking you in the heart while you watch a tear-jerking movie — it feels POIGNANT!
Visual Association
💔A heartbroken character holding a photo, tears streaming down their face as memories flood back, making the moment POIGNANT.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “poignant” mean on the GRE?
poignant (adjective) means “Evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret”. The soldier's poignant letter home, written the night before the battle, was later published as a testament to the human cost of the conflict.
How to remember “poignant” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “poignant” sounds like “point-ant”. A sharp POINT-ANT poking you in the heart while you watch a tear-jerking movie — it feels POIGNANT!
What are synonyms for “poignant”?
Common synonyms: touching, moving, emotional.