Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun poignancy

2 senses of poignancy

Sense 1
poignance, poignancy -- (a state of deeply felt distress or sorrow; "a moment of extraordinary poignancy")
       => sadness, sorrow, sorrowfulness -- (the state of being sad; "she tired of his perpetual sadness")

Sense 2
pathos, poignancy -- (a quality that arouses emotions (especially pity or sorrow); "the film captured all the pathos of their situation")
       => quality -- (an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone; "the quality of mercy is not strained"--Shakespeare)