What does trenchant mean?
Trenchant means (chiefly archaic) Fitted to trench or cut; gutting; sharp..
Trenchant
/ˈtɹɛnʃənt/ · adjective
Meaning
(chiefly archaic) Fitted to trench or cut; gutting; sharp..
Definitions by Sense
- (chiefly archaic) Fitted to trench or cut; gutting; sharp.
- (figuratively) Keen; biting; vigorously articulate and effective; severe.
Example Sentences
The trenchant blade, Toledo trusty, / For want of fighting was grown rusty, / And ate into itself, for lack / Of somebody to hew and hack.
trenchant wit
His eyes, of the usual blue, were perhaps remarkably cold, and he certainly could make his glance fall on one as trenchant and heavy as an axe.
His trenchant criticisms of the Church's repression […] include a discussion of the considerable 1938 success of the fledgling NODL in getting magazines removed from various points of sale.
Synonyms for trenchant
Antonyms for trenchant
Related Words
Word Forms
- more trenchant
- most trenchant
- trenchaunt
Usage Notes
Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.
Practice and Learn More
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a synonym for trenchant?
Common synonyms include distinct, clear, intelligent, efficacious.
What is the opposite of trenchant?
The opposite depends on the specific sense.
How do you use trenchant in a sentence?
The trenchant blade, Toledo trusty, / For want of fighting was grown rusty, / And ate into itself, for lack / Of somebody to hew and hack.
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.