poignant
adj.adj. causing a strong feeling of sadness or regret. It describes something that touches your heart in a deep, painful way.
adj. evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret; deeply affecting the emotions. Often describes artistic works, memories, or moments of transition.
The movie's ending was very poignant.
Seeing his old childhood home in such a state of decay was a poignant reminder of how much time had passed.
The photograph of the empty classroom served as a poignant symbol of the community's loss following the sudden closure of the local school.
From Middle English poynaunt, poynant, borrowed from Anglo-Norman puignant, poynaunt etc., present participle of poindre (“to prick”), from Latin pungō (“prick”). Doublet of pungent.
Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be', 'seem', or 'become'.