trenchant

[ tren-chuhnt ]
/ ˈtrɛn tʃənt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR trenchant ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

incisive or keen, as language or a person; caustic; cutting: trenchant wit.
vigorous; effective; energetic: a trenchant policy of political reform.
clearly or sharply defined; clear-cut; distinct.

Origin of trenchant

1275–1325; Middle English tranchaunt < Anglo-French; Old French trenchant, present participle of trenchier to cut. See trench, -ant

OTHER WORDS FROM trenchant

trench·an·cy, noun trench·ant·ly, adverb

Words nearby trenchant

trench foot, trench knife, trench mortar, trench mouth, trench warfare, trenchant, trenchard, trencher, trencherman, trenches, trend

Words related to trenchant

penetrating, salient, acerbic, incisive, pointed, pungent, caustic, biting, mordant, unsparing, acid, acidulous, acute, astringent, clear, clear-cut, crisp, critical, cutting, distinct

Example sentences from the Web for trenchant

British Dictionary definitions for trenchant

trenchant
/ (ˈtrɛntʃənt) /

adjective

keen or incisive trenchant criticism
vigorous and effective a trenchant foreign policy
distinctly defined a trenchant outline
archaic, or poetic sharp a trenchant sword

Derived forms of trenchant

trenchancy, noun trenchantly, adverb

Word Origin for trenchant

C14: from Old French trenchant cutting, from trenchier to cut; see trench