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pointed

/pɔɪntɪd/
/ˈpɔɪntɪd/
IPA guide

Pointed things have a sharp end, like a cat's pointed teeth or the pointed tip of your #2 pencil . A pointed comment, on the other hand, is deliberately direct.

You might buy stylish shoes with pointed toes or wear fake, pointed fingernails as part of your Halloween costume, but the second definition of pointed is even more common. A pointed remark gets right to the heart of the matter, and might even hurt someone's feelings. If your mom gives you a pointed look, you probably know exactly what she's thinking about.

Definitions of pointed
  1. adjective
    having a point
    synonyms:
    sharp
    having or made by a thin edge or sharp point; suitable for cutting or piercing
    acanthoid, acanthous, spinous
    shaped like a spine or thorn
    acuate, acute, needlelike, sharp
    ending in a sharp point
    barreled, barrelled
    (of an arrow) tapered toward both ends
    bristle-pointed
    pointed like bristles
    five-pointed
    having five points
    cigar-shaped, fusiform, spindle-shaped
    tapering at each end
    nibbed
    (used of pens) having a writing point or nib especially of a certain kind
    peaked
    having or rising to a peak
    pyramidal, pyramidic, pyramidical
    resembling a pyramid
    sharpened
    having the point made sharp
    six-pointed
    having six points
    spiked
    having a long sharp point
    spikelike
    resembling a spike
    angular, angulate
    having angles or an angular shape
    see moresee less
    antonyms:
    pointless
    not having a point especially a sharp point
    blunt
    having a broad or rounded end
  2. adjective
    direct and obvious in meaning or reference; often unpleasant
    “a pointed critique”
    “a pointed allusion to what was going on”
    “another pointed look in their direction”
    synonyms:
    direct
    straightforward in means or manner or behavior or language or action
Pronunciation
US
/pɔɪntɪd/
UK
/ˈpɔɪntɪd/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘pointed'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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