Pointed — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective verb /ˈpȯin-təd/ point·ed

Meaning & Definition of Pointed

Pointed (adjective)

  1. having a point
  2. being an arch with a pointed crown; also, marked by the use of a pointed arch
  3. being to the point, pertinent
  4. set, fixed

Pointed (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. tapering to a thin tip

    "the sansevieria's long pointed leaves make it an easily recognized houseplant"

    similar: peaked, pointy, sharp, spired, tipped
    related: needlelike, spiny, barbed, jagged, pronged, spiked, spikelike, spiky, bladelike, knifelike
    opposite: blunt
    near: dull, rounded

  2. having to do with the matter at hand

    "he made a number of pointed remarks on the crisis abroad"

    similar: applicable, apposite, apropos, germane, material, pertinent, relative, relevant, to the point
    related: appropriate, apt, fit, fitting, suitable, important, meaningful, significant, sensible, useful, admissible, allowable
    opposite: extraneous, immaterial, impertinent, inapplicable, inapposite, irrelative, irrelevant, pointless
    near: frivolous, inconsequential, insignificant, little, minor, negligible, slight, trifling, trivial, unimportant, meaningless, purposeless, senseless, useless, inappropriate, inapt, unsuitable, inadmissible

Pointed (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in mentioned, signaled

    similar: adverted, mentioned, referred, signaled, signalized, signified, alluded, hinted, implied, indicated, inferred, insinuated, intimated, suggested, smacked (of), smelled (of)
    opposite: announced, declared, proclaimed, elucidated, explained, spelled out, delineated, described

  2. as in set, aimed

    similar: aimed, directed, homed (in on), honed in (on), leveled, nailed, set, zeroed (in on), centered, concentrated, fastened, focused, riveted, trained, attended, heeded, minded, fixated (on), obsessed (over), refocused

Related Entry: Point (to) (verb)

Point (to) is a different word from Pointed. The synonyms below are for point (to), not for pointed.

  1. to serve as a sign or symptom of

    "the reduced production points to declining efficiency within the plant"

    similar: bespeak, betoken, denote, indicate, mean, signify, tell (of)
    related: bode, foreshow, foretell, presage

Related Entry: Point (toward) (verb)

Point (toward) is a different word from Pointed. The synonyms below are for point (toward), not for pointed.

  1. to stand or sit with the face or front toward

    "the town's monument to its lost fishermen points toward the sea, the source of its wealth as well as its sorrow"

    similar: face, front, look (toward)
    related: abut, adjoin, border, bound, fringe, margin, meet, neighbor, rim, skirt, touch, command, dominate, overlook, look down (on)

Related Entry: Point (up) (verb)

Point (up) is a different word from Pointed. The synonyms below are for point (up), not for pointed.

  1. to indicate the importance of by centering attention on

    "pointed up his warning by furiously wagging his finger at them"

    similar: accent, accentuate, emphasize, feature, foreground, highlight, illuminate, play up, press, punctuate, stress, bear down on, make much of
    related: focus, identify, pinpoint, spotlight, advertise, boost, plug, promote, publicize, overplay
    opposite: de-emphasize, play down
    near: tone (down), underemphasize, understate, belittle, discount, disparage, minimize

Related Entry: Pointed (for) (verb)

Pointed (for) is a different word from Pointed. The synonyms below are for pointed (for), not for pointed.

  1. as in prepared (for), trained (with)

    similar: prepared (for), trained (with), grooved, perfected, refined, drilled, repeated, exercised, practiced, ran over, rehearsed, worked (at or on), reviewed, studied

Related Entry: Pointed (out) (verb)

Pointed (out) is a different word from Pointed. The synonyms below are for pointed (out), not for pointed.

  1. as in signaled, signified

    similar: signaled, signified, alluded (to), hinted (at), implied, indicated, inferred, intended, intimated, suggested, denominated, designated, adverted (to), cited, dropped, instanced, mentioned, named, noted, noticed, quoted, referred (to), specified, touched (on or upon), broached, brought up, interjected, interpolated, interposed, introduced, infiltrated, insinuated, wormed, advertised, announced, broadcast, declared, proclaimed, pronounced, publicized, published, sounded, clarified, cleared (up), elucidated, explained, explicated, spelled out
    opposite: disregarded, forgot, ignored, neglected, overlooked, overpassed, passed over, slighted

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Pointed

The most common words with a similar meaning to Pointed:

peaked, pointy, sharp, spired, tipped, applicable, apposite, apropos, germane, material, pertinent, relative, relevant, to the point, adverted, mentioned, referred, signaled, signalized, signified, alluded, hinted, implied, indicated, inferred, insinuated, intimated, suggested, smacked (of), smelled (of), aimed, directed, homed (in on), honed in (on), leveled, nailed, set, zeroed (in on), centered, concentrated

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Pointed

Words with the opposite meaning of Pointed:

blunt, extraneous, immaterial, impertinent, inapplicable, inapposite, irrelative, irrelevant, pointless, announced, declared, proclaimed, elucidated, explained, spelled out, delineated, described

Related Words for Pointed

needlelike, spiny, barbed, jagged, pronged, spiked, spikelike, spiky, bladelike, knifelike, appropriate, apt, fit, fitting, suitable, important, meaningful, significant, sensible, useful, admissible, allowable

Near Antonyms of Pointed

dull, rounded, frivolous, inconsequential, insignificant, little, minor, negligible, slight, trifling, trivial, unimportant, meaningless, purposeless, senseless, useless, inappropriate, inapt, unsuitable, inadmissible

Word Forms of Pointed

Derived words: pointedly (adverb), pointedness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Pointed

short for appointed

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Pointed

Frequently Asked Questions about Pointed

What does "Pointed" mean?

"Pointed" means having a point. As an an adjective and a verb, it is defined as: having a point. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Pointed"?

Other words for "Pointed" include peaked, pointy, sharp, spired, tipped, applicable, apposite and apropos. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Pointed" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Pointed"?

There are 72 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Pointed". Common alternatives include peaked, pointy, sharp, spired, tipped, applicable, apposite, apropos, germane and material.

What is the opposite of "Pointed"?

Antonyms of "Pointed" include blunt, extraneous, immaterial, impertinent, inapplicable, inapposite, irrelative and irrelevant. Near antonyms include dull, rounded, frivolous and inconsequential.

How do you use "Pointed" in a sentence?

Examples of "Pointed" in a sentence: "the sansevieria's long pointed leaves make it an easily recognized houseplant"; "he made a number of pointed remarks on the crisis abroad".

Is "Pointed" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Pointed" can be used as an adjective and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Pointed" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Pointed" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Pointed"?

"Pointed" is pronounced /ˈpȯin-təd/ and divided into syllables as point·ed.