pointed
Americanadjective
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having a point or points.
a pointed arch.
-
sharp or piercing.
pointed wit.
- Synonyms:
- epigrammatic, penetrating
-
having direct effect, significance, or force.
pointed criticism.
-
aimed; directed.
a pointed gun.
-
directed particularly, as at a person.
a pointed remark.
-
marked; emphasized.
An unusual turn of phrase, a well-placed emphasis, a choice of adjective, a pointed omission—all can turn an otherwise innocent sentence into a verbal dagger.
-
Heraldry. (of a cross) having parallel sides with points formed by two inclined sides on each end.
a cross pointed.
adjective
-
having a point
-
cutting or incisive
a pointed wit
-
obviously directed at or intended for a particular person or aspect
pointed criticism
-
emphasized or made conspicuous
pointed ignorance
-
(of an arch or style of architecture employing such an arch) Gothic
-
music (of a psalm text) marked to show changes in chanting
-
(of Hebrew text) with vowel points marked
Other Word Forms
- multipointed adjective
- pointedly adverb
- pointedness noun
- self-pointed adjective
- unpointed adjective
- well-pointed adjective
Etymology
Origin of pointed
A Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; point, -ed 2, -ed 3
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I pointed out to Claude that these military decisions are usually made with loyalty to America as the highest priority.
From Los Angeles Times
He pointed out that South Florida currently has twice as many “durable equipment” suppliers as McDonald’s franchises.
Greeley followed instructions; hearing nothing until he pointed to the tenth number on his list.
From Literature
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As Baker pointed out, this “could weigh on profitability metrics.”
From MarketWatch
Kalivas pointed out that this fund’s methodology means that it only holds Apple among the Magnificent Seven, “with no hyperscaler exposure.”
From MarketWatch
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.