Make Your Point > Archived Issues > TRENCHANT

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connect today's word to others: Word that seem to sting and burn are c___tc. Similarly, words that seem to cut and slice are inc___ve, or trenchant. If you're a trenchant observer, your words cut clean and straight to the heart of the matter: you're clear, direct, and insightful. You have ac___y (a sharpness in how you think, understand, or feel) and ac___n (the ability to make smart, quick judgments and choices). Please use these powers for good and not evil. :) (To reveal any word with blanks, give it a click.) make your point with... "TRENCHANT" Literally trenchant things have a sharp edge that's good for cutting things. And figuratively trenchant things are sharp because they cut straight to the point: they're smart, effective, and clear and direct. "Trenchant" can also mean "very distinct," as in "trenchant limits" or "trenchant divisions," but since that meaning is so rare, we won't focus on it. Pronunciation: TREN chunt Part of speech: Adjective. (Adjectives are describing words, like "large" or "late." They can be used in two ways: 1. Right before a noun, as in "a trenchant thing" or "a trenchant person." 2. After a linking verb, as in "It was trenchant" or "He was trenchant.") Other forms: trenchantly, trenchancy How to use it: "Trenchant" is a sophisticated alternative to "cutting," "sharp," and "keen." Talk about trenchant wit and opinions, trenchant comments and questions, trenchant discussion and repartee, trenchant analysis and criticism, trenchant articles and books, trenchant interviews and documentaries, etc. And it's less common, but you can also talk about trenchant people, such as trenchant writers, speakers, and observers. examples: I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of Sue Sylvester's trenchancy. Stung by the candidate's hatred of Latino immigrants, America Ferrera struck back with a trenchant and spirited condemnation. study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "trenchant" means when you can explain it without saying "acute" or "razor-sharp." try it out: Fill in the blanks: "(Someone) (is or was) known for (his or her) trenchant (wit or humor)." Example: "Oscar Wilde was known for his trenchant humor." before you review: Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. This month, we're playing "Game of Games!" Guess the one-word title of each board game, using your knowledge of vocabulary. From our previous issue:  Designed by Matt Tolman, this game has players mining for resources on alien planets. The title means "ruining, weakening, or working against things in a sneaky way, as if you're digging a tunnel under them so they'll cave in." It's pictured below, with the title blurred out. What game is this? Answer: Undermining. Check out the game here and the word here. Try this today:  Designed by Touko Tahkokallio, this game has players exploring an ancient temple by solving puzzles and problems. The game's title means "a riddle," or more generally, "a person, event, or situation that puzzles you, like a problem with no solution." It's pictured below, with the title blurred out. What game is this? review today's word: 1. One opposite of TRENCHANT is A. TOOTHLESS. B. MATCHLESS. C. GUILELESS. 2. Spoken aloud, the words formed a trenchant _____ her heart. A. hammer on B. sword in C. vise on Answers are below. a final word: Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each weekday morning by Liesl Johnson, a reading and writing tutor on a mission to explore, illuminate, and celebrate words. From Liesl's blog:    36 ways to study words.    Why we forget words, & how to remember them.    How to use sophisticated words without being awkward. To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact me at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: When I write definitions, I use plain language and stick to the words' common, useful applications. If you're interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words, I encourage you to check a dictionary. Also, because I'm American, I stick to American English when I share words' meanings, usage, and pronunciations; these elements sometimes vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. A 2. B