English vocabulary · C1
Trenchant
/ˈtrɛn.tʃənt/ · adj.
It means sharp, clear, and very strong. A trenchant comment cuts right to the point and leaves no doubt.
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Example sentences
- Her trenchant words stopped the debate cold.
- The editor gave a trenchant review — short and hard to argue with.
Word origin and roots
from Old French
- trench — cut (from Old French)
- ant — doing (from Old French)
Synonyms and nuances
- SHARP — direct and clear (Quick and clear)
- CUTTING — hurtful and blunt (Intentionally harsh)
- INCISIVE — clear and precise (Deeply penetrating)
Words with the same root
trench — cut
- trench — a long cut dug in the ground
- retrench — cut back spending
- entrench — fix deeply in place
Lesson notes
Trenchant. It means sharp, clear, and very strong. A trenchant comment cuts right to the point and leaves no doubt.
Similar words are sharp, cutting, and incisive. Use trenchant when a remark is so clear and strong it cannot be ignored.
Her trenchant words stopped the debate cold. The editor gave a trenchant review — short, direct, and hard to argue with.
From Old French. Trench- means cut. Ant- means doing. Cutting right through — that is trenchant.