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Synonyms

pointed

American  
[poin-tid] / ˈpɔɪn tɪd /

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 British  
/ 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

Their long, narrow snouts and rows of thin, pointed teeth allowed them to catch agile prey such as fish and turtles.

From Science Daily

The chancellor repeatedly refused to rule this out, as she pointed to forecasts for economic productivity being weaker than expected.

From BBC

South Korea’s headline PMI pointed to sustained deterioration, but Pantheon Macroeconomics’ Kelvin Lam expects brisk international demand for high-performance AI chips to keep supporting export orders through 2026.

From The Wall Street Journal

We asked Prof Christopher Holstege, a world leading toxicology and chemical weapons expert, to assess whether our evidence pointed to camite being the likely agent used.

From BBC

Yet no-one I spoke to while making these films pointed to any one individual as the sole reason for the current standing of the monarchy in the eyes of the public.

From BBC