pointedness
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The quality of being obviously directed at a particular person or thing; directness, often with a critical or sharp intent. It refers to a remark, comment, or criticism that is clearly aimed at a specific target.
- The property of a shape that tapers to a sharp tip; sharpness. It describes a physical characteristic of an object that comes to a fine point.
Examples of Usage
- Noun (Directed Quality):
- The pointedness of his criticism made everyone in the room uncomfortable.
- Her question was delivered with such pointedness that it was clear she was referring to the manager's mistake.
- Noun (Physical Sharpness):
- The pointedness of the needle allows for precise injections.
- The architect admired the pointedness of the spire against the sky.
Advanced Usage
- "with pointedness": Used as an adverbial phrase to describe how an action, especially speech, is performed.
- She looked at him and asked, with great pointedness, "And where were you last night?"
- Conceptual use regarding focus or directness in non-physical contexts.
- The essay lacked pointedness; its arguments were vague and scattered.
Variants and Related Words
- Pointed (adj): Having a sharp tip; (of a remark) clearly directed and often critical.
- a pointed arch
- a pointed observation
- Pointedly (adv): In a way that is clearly directed and meaningful.
- He pointedly ignored the question.
Synonyms
- For directed quality: Directness, sharpness, barbed quality, incisiveness, acuteness.
- For physical sharpness: Sharpness, acuteness, taper.
Antonyms
- For directed quality: Vagueness, ambiguity, indirectness, subtlety (in the sense of being not obvious).
- For physical sharpness: Bluntness, dullness, roundness.
Noun
- the quality of being obviously directed at a particular person or thing
- the pointedness of his sarcasm was unmistakable
- the property of a shape that tapers to a sharp tip