perspicacious

adjective

Definition of perspicaciousnext
as in wise
formal having or showing an ability to notice and understand things that are difficult or not obvious She considers herself a perspicacious judge of character. The critic made some perspicacious observations about the film.

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How does the adjective perspicacious differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of perspicacious are astute, sagacious, and shrewd. While all these words mean "acute in perception and sound in judgment," perspicacious implies unusual power to see through and understand what is puzzling or hidden.

a perspicacious counselor saw through the child's facade

When is astute a more appropriate choice than perspicacious?

Although the words astute and perspicacious have much in common, astute suggests shrewdness, perspicacity, and diplomatic skill.

an astute player of party politics

In what contexts can sagacious take the place of perspicacious?

The synonyms sagacious and perspicacious are sometimes interchangeable, but sagacious suggests wisdom, penetration, and farsightedness.

sagacious investors got in on the ground floor

When could shrewd be used to replace perspicacious?

While in some cases nearly identical to perspicacious, shrewd stresses practical, hardheaded cleverness and judgment.

a shrewd judge of character

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of perspicacious Forty-five years have passed since the late Professor Price coined his perspicacious term. — IEEE Spectrum, 3 Nov. 2010 Instead, this trickster figure proffers the idea that Shakespeare was too perspicacious to be just some white guy. — Theater Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 29 Jan. 2026 Photographs show Pym looking jolly and perspicacious, with charmingly crooked English teeth. — Thomas Mallon, The New Yorker, 30 May 2022 As played by the perspicacious young performer Aoife Riddell, Phoebe is perhaps the realest part of the whole picture, a sweet and desperate and boy-crazy kid bouncing with eagerness and nerves. — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019 With the help of friends in the publishing world, Jaffrey’s draft landed in the hands of the perspicacious Knopf editor Judith Jones in 1971. — Mayukh Sen, Washington Post, 27 Nov. 2023 If a new Bridgerton-sibling romance each season is the series’ gimmick, then Penelope has proven to be its soul—a vividly realistic protagonist whose perspicacious alter ego tethered each fairytale courtship to earth. — Judy Berman, TIME, 14 June 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perspicacious
  1. wise
  2. brilliant
  3. clever
  4. intelligent
  5. smart
  6. keen
  7. exceptional
  8. astute
Adjective
  • Historically, the spring editions of the Paris men’s trade shows have been less significant business-wise than shows for fall collections, but that is shifting.
    — Alex Wynne, Footwear News, 2 July 2026
  • Still, there are moments when stepping back is the wiser act of stewardship, for both the owner and the business.
    — Scott Hanson, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of wise
Adjective
  • The Colombia margin would have been larger but for the brilliant play of Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi, who twice came up with two-handed saves to prevent goals.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
  • The winner of 28 Grammys, Jones was a music producer, band leader, composer, arranger, television producer, music executive, conductor, trumpet player, civil rights activist, philanthropist and all-around brilliant person.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 3 July 2026
Definition of brilliant
Adjective
  • See, for me, naming a snowplow isn’t just about clever wordplay.
    — Mark Glende, Twin Cities, 2 July 2026
  • Later in the day, your mind finds a clever solution, a useful contact or a whole new point of view.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026
Definition of clever
Adjective
  • The robot staff behind the scenes Pudu's FlashBot will run an intelligent vending system, allowing guests to order drink deliveries by smartphone.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
  • His after-game interviews were always intelligent and sometimes humorous.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of intelligent
Adjective
  • Like its existing Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley smart glasses lines, the new designs are developed with EssilorLuxxottica — the group that also owns Prada eyewear, rumored to be Meta’s next collaborator.
    — Amy O’Brien, Vogue, 7 July 2026
  • Recreating the look is easy at Quince, where smart trousers and shirts are available in similar colors and materials that channel the same laid-back aesthetic.
    — Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Definition of smart
Adjective
  • He is usually reserved but has a pleasant personality and a keen sense of humor.
    — Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
  • The Athletic reported in April that Everton are keen for Grealish to return to the club this summer, having returned to Manchester City.
    — Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of keen
Adjective
  • Just down the road, Beefbar at Hotel Lou Pinet offers a relaxed ambiance and exceptional dishes.
    — Karli Poliziani, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 July 2026
  • Read More TopicsTaylor Swift Vogue Weddings An all-access invitation to the exceptional and inspirational, plus planning tips and advice.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 4 July 2026
Definition of exceptional
Adjective
  • However, his calm demeanor and astute in-game changes have helped the Selecao overcome deficits and build psychological resilience.
    — Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • Her astute observations — and solid Disney fairy tale references — don't stop there.
    — Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
Definition of astute

Browse Nearby Words

perspectives
perspicacious
perspicacity
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Cite this Entry

“Perspicacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perspicacious. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of perspicacious for Spanish Speakers

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