trenchant
AdjectiveWordNet 3.0
Adjective (3)
- having keenness and forcefulness and penetration in thought, expression, or intellect“searching insights”“trenchant criticism”Synonyms: searching
- characterized by or full of force and vigor“a hard-hitting expose”“a trenchant argument”Synonyms: hard-hitting
- 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”Synonyms: clear-cutdistinct
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Trenchant \Trench"ant\, a. [OF. trenchant, F. tranchant, p. pr. See Trench, v. t.]
1.Fitted to trench or cut; gutting; sharp. " Trenchant was the blade." --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
2.Fig.: Keen; biting; severe; as, trenchant wit. [1913 Webster]