pointed
Americanadjective
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having a point or points.
a pointed arch.
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sharp or piercing.
pointed wit.
- Synonyms:
- epigrammatic, penetrating
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having direct effect, significance, or force.
pointed criticism.
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aimed; directed.
a pointed gun.
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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.
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Heraldry. (of a cross) having parallel sides with points formed by two inclined sides on each end.
a cross pointed.
adjective
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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.
But said she also pointed out complaints about how insurers, and State Farm in particular, have handled claims.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
In some cases, as the Wall Street Journal recently pointed out, stocks were already pricing in a lot of growth.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026
To surprise him, I brought a story from Page 40 of the April 17, 1978 newspaper and pointed to the 16th paragraph: Apple’s first appearance in the Journal.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
For decades, there had been no fire safety certification, it pointed out, and only two days ago it had submitted a safety notice to the fire brigade.
From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026
I stuck it deep in the snow, pointed it to the right, and piled snow around it.
From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell
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.
