Word
trenchant
Phoneticstren·chant, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈtɹɛntʃənt/
UK/tɹˈɛntʃənt/
Definition
adj. describing a comment or argument that is very strong, clear, and effective. You use this to praise someone for getting straight to the point in a clever way.
adj. characterised by being incisive, vigorous, and effective in expression. Often describes criticism or analysis that is sharp and cuts through complexity.
Examples
“Her trenchant criticism of the new policy changed everyone's mind.”
“The journalist is famous for her trenchant analysis of political scandals that others are afraid to touch.”
“Even his most devoted supporters found it difficult to counter the trenchant observations made by the opposition during the televised debate.”
Examples
simple
“Her trenchant criticism of the new policy changed everyone's mind.”
contextual
“The journalist is famous for her trenchant analysis of political scandals that others are afraid to touch.”
complex
“Even his most devoted supporters found it difficult to counter the trenchant observations made by the opposition during the televised debate.”
Usage
Typically used to modify nouns related to communication, such as 'criticism', 'analysis', 'wit', or 'commentary'.
Real-World Examples
“The result is a revealing conversation with a Keynes who never lived to see the A.I. age — and a trenchant warning from his A.I. bot.” “In her Reith Lecture, Ngozi Adichie makes a passionate, trenchant call-to-arms, and argues that our culture of self-censorship, policing each other’s language, cordoning off whole subjects as unsayable, is “almost the death knell of literary and other cultural production”.” “David Hockney, who has died aged 88, was Britain's favourite artist - and a man of trenchant views, expressed in the broadest of Yorkshire vowels.” “It’s a sign of his artistry that before long we can put that real-life tragedy aside and see him as Levee, the troubled young musician at the centre of this exciting, trenchant film version of the August Wilson play.” Etymology
From Old French trenchant, the present participle of trenchier ("to cut"), borrowed into Middle English.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Rare
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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