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TRENCHANT
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| IPA (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does trenchant mean?
• TRENCHANT (adjective)
The adjective TRENCHANT has 3 senses:
1. having keenness and forcefulness and penetration in thought, expression, or intellect
2. characterized by or full of force and vigor
3. clearly or sharply defined to the mind
Familiarity information: TRENCHANT used as an adjective is uncommon.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Having keenness and forcefulness and penetration in thought, expression, or intellect
Synonyms:
searching; trenchant
Context example:
trenchant criticism
Similar:
intelligent (having the capacity for thought and reason especially to a high degree)
Derivation:
trenchancy (keenness and forcefulness of thought or expression or intellect)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Characterized by or full of force and vigor
Synonyms:
hard-hitting; trenchant
Context example:
a trenchant argument
Similar:
effective; effectual; efficacious (producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Clearly or sharply defined to the mind
Synonyms:
clear-cut; distinct; trenchant
Context example:
trenchant distinctions between right and wrong
Similar:
clear (readily apparent to the mind)
Derivation:
trenchancy (keenness and forcefulness of thought or expression or intellect)
Context examples
A second less and the trenchant blade had shorne through his heart.
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
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