- poignance: a state of deeply felt distress or sorrow; "a moment of extraordinary poignancy"
- pathos: a quality that arouses emotions (especially pity or sorrow); "the film captured all the pathos of their situation"
- (poignant) affecting: arousing affect; "the homecoming of the released hostages was an affecting scene"; "poignant grief cannot endure forever"; "his gratitude was simple and touching"
- (poignant) keenly distressing to the mind or feelings; "poignant anxiety"
- (poignantly) affectingly: in a poignant or touching manner; "she spoke poignantly"
- The quality of being poignant
- (poignant) sharp-pointed; keen; incisive; penetrating; neat; eloquent; applicable; relevant; Evoking strong mental sensation, to the point of distress; emotionally moving; piquant, pungent; piercing; inducing sharp physical pain
- Many of the formal rules of bonsai help the grower create a tree that expresses Wabi-sabi, or portrays an aspect of mono no aware.