To call something poignant is to emphasize how deeply affecting or moving it is emotionally. This adjective conveys a sharpness of feeling that the more general adjective moving does not, a distinction that makes sense if you consider the full picture of the word: poignant entered English describing sensations that were painful or distressing and smells that were particularly pungent. Poignant has softened over time. Nowadays when we describe things as poignant we don’t mean they bring distress; we mean they are touching and often bittersweet.

Both words refer to a state of peaceable agreement and coexistence between persons or groups. Harmony suggests an interrelationship in which all elements blend together without social, political, or interpersonal conflict: living together in harmony. Harmony has a metaphorical, evocative feel. Concord, the more formal and less current word, is very similar in meaning, but suggests a more concrete, explicitly political unanimity between parties that have been in competition or conflict. In another, related definition, a concord is a treaty or covenant mutually agreed to by all parties. The resulting concord, in the meaning we’re concerned with here, is grounded in actual agreement and a will to maintain amity.

Both words suggest the expression of ridicule and scorn towards situations or people, so as to invite laughter at the target’s expense. Mocking is primarily used of tone of voice, laughter, and facial expression, or the general manner in which something is said: a mocking smile. Sardonic is a more refined, but still contemptuous, way of making fun of people or things. Like mocking it’s often an attribute of demeanor—raised a sardonic eyebrow—and tone of voice, but sardonic also appears with words like humor, wit and sophistication, which suggests a degree of verbal skill and humor not central to mocking, which anyone can do.