trenchant

trench·ant  (trnchnt)

adj.

1. Forceful, effective, and vigorous: a trenchant argument. See Synonyms at incisive.

2. Caustic; cutting: trenchant criticism.

3. Distinct; clear-cut.

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[Middle English, from Old French, cutting, from present participle of trenchier, to cut; see trench.]

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trenchan·cy n.

trenchant·ly adv.

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trenchant

Adjective

1. keen or incisive: a trenchant screenplay

2. vigorous and effective: the prime minister's trenchant adoption of this issue [Old French: cutting]

trenchancy n

Thesaurus

Adj.	1.	trenchant - having keenness and forcefulness and penetration in thought, expression, or intellect; "searching insights"; "trenchant criticism" searching intelligent - having the capacity for thought and reason especially to a high degree; "is there intelligent life in the universe?"; "an intelligent question"
	2.	trenchant - characterized by or full of force and vigor; "a hard-hitting expose"; "a trenchant argument" hard-hitting effective, effectual, efficacious - producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect; "an air-cooled motor was more effective than a witch's broomstick for rapid long-distance transportation"-LewisMumford; "effective teaching methods"; "effective steps toward peace"; "made an effective entrance"; "his complaint proved to be effectual in bringing action"; "an efficacious law"
	3.	trenchant - clearly or sharply defined to the mind; "clear-cut evidence of tampering"; "Claudius was the first to invade Britain with distinct...intentions of conquest"; "trenchant distinctions between right and wrong" clear-cut, distinct clear - readily apparent to the mind; "a clear and present danger"; "a clear explanation"; "a clear case of murder"; "a clear indication that she was angry"; "gave us a clear idea of human nature"

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trenchant

adjective 1. scathing, pointed, cutting, biting, sharp, keen, acute, severe, acid, penetrating, tart, pungent, incisive, hurtful, sarcastic, caustic, astringent, vitriolic, acerbic, piquant, mordant, acidulous, mordacious << OPPOSITE kind

adjective 2. clear, driving, strong, powerful, effective, distinct, crisp, explicit, vigorous, potent, energetic, clear-cut, forceful, emphatic, unequivocal, salient, well-defined, effectual, distinctly defined << OPPOSITE vague