pointed

[poin-tid]

adjective

1. having a point or points.

   a pointed arch.

2. sharp or piercing.

   pointed wit.

   Synonyms: epigrammatic, penetrating
   Antonyms: dull, blunt

3. having direct effect, significance, or force.

   pointed criticism.

4. aimed; directed.

   a pointed gun.

5. directed particularly, as at a person.

   a pointed remark.

6. 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.

7. Heraldry.,  (of a cross) having parallel sides with points formed by two inclined sides on each end.

   a cross pointed.

pointed

/ ˈpɔɪntɪd /

adjective

1. having a point

2. cutting or incisive

   a pointed wit

3. obviously directed at or intended for a particular person or aspect

   pointed criticism

4. emphasized or made conspicuous

   pointed ignorance

5. (of an arch or style of architecture employing such an arch) Gothic

6. music (of a psalm text) marked to show changes in chanting

7. (of Hebrew text) with vowel points marked

Other Word Forms

• pointedness noun
• pointedly adverb
• multipointed adjective
• self-pointed adjective
• unpointed adjective
• well-pointed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pointed¹

A Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; point, -ed ², -ed ³

Example Sentences

But as Variety pointed out, the 1980s country icon boasts fewer than 500,000 Spotify listeners, compared with Bad Bunny’s 80 million.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

That’s a pointed response to the Administration’s theme that signatories must commit to elevating merit and objective measures of accomplishment everywhere from university admissions to grade allocation.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Companies are still feeling their way and making mistakes, as MIT pointed out.

Read more on MarketWatch

Khan, an Afghan migrant, had also pointed towards an AK-47 tattoo on his face to "emphasise he wasn't joking".

Read more on BBC

Because it embarrassed you or someone pointed out something false?

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• barbed 
• incisive 
• pertinent 
• sarcastic 
• sharp 
• telling 
• trenchant