trenchant

[tren-chuhnt]

adjective

1. incisive or keen, as language or a person; caustic; cutting.

   trenchant wit.

   Synonyms: acute, biting, sharp

2. vigorous; effective; energetic.

   a trenchant policy of political reform.

3. clearly or sharply defined; clear-cut; distinct.

trenchant

/ ˈtrɛntʃənt /

adjective

1. keen or incisive

   trenchant criticism

2. vigorous and effective

   a trenchant foreign policy

3. distinctly defined

   a trenchant outline

4. archaic,  sharp

   a trenchant sword

Other Word Forms

• trenchancy noun
• trenchantly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of trenchant¹

1275–1325; Middle English tranchaunt < Anglo-French; Old French trenchant, present participle of trenchier to cut. See trench, -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of trenchant¹

C14: from Old French trenchant cutting, from trenchier to cut; see _trench

Example Sentences

The humor is more direct — Barron can be very funny — but the debate is less trenchant.

From Los Angeles Times

Associated Newspapers has not issued a statement in response to the BBC, but has previously denied the allegations, saying it has "filed a trenchant defence of its journalism against claims of phone-hacking".

From BBC

One of the evening’s most incredible moments was a trenchant version of Bob Dylan’s “Blind Willie McTell,” also calling back to the Big Easy, delivered with authority and depth, and rich with color and shading.

From Salon

Smith understood how her features cut into and through a role – wide eyes amply lidded, trenchant cheekbones, features that one might associate with snobbery.

From Salon

Her work builds on a simple but trenchant observation: In the long history of Western painting, monumental portraits of Black women are almost nonexistent.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acerbic 
• biting 
• caustic 
• incisive 
• mordant 
• penetrating 
• pointed 
• pungent 
• salient 
• unsparing