insight

noun

in·​sight ˈin-ˌsīt How to pronounce insight (audio)
1
: the power or act of seeing into a situation : penetration
2
: the act or result of apprehending the inner nature of things or of seeing intuitively
Choose the Right Synonym for insight

discernment, discrimination, perception, penetration, insight, acumen mean a power to see what is not evident to the average mind.

discernment stresses accuracy (as in reading character or motives or appreciating art).

the discernment to know true friends

discrimination stresses the power to distinguish and select what is true or appropriate or excellent.

the discrimination that develops through listening to a lot of great music

perception implies quick and often sympathetic discernment (as of shades of feeling).

a novelist of keen perception into human motives

penetration implies a searching mind that goes beyond what is obvious or superficial.

lacks the penetration to see the scorn beneath their friendly smiles

insight suggests depth of discernment coupled with understanding sympathy.

a documentary providing insight into the plight of the homeless

acumen implies characteristic penetration combined with keen practical judgment.

a director of reliable box-office acumen

Examples of insight in a Sentence

… I had a big insight and a little insight about the book. Rust Hills, Esquire, April 1973
… realizing this gave me no insight into how to correct it. Bartley McSwine, Change, May–June 1971
… might well offer fresh insights as to the character and extent of the social adaptation involved. George C. Barker, ETC, Summer 1945
He is a leader of great insight. The author analyzes the problem with remarkable insight. I had a sudden insight. Her book provides us with fresh new insights into this behavior.
Recent Examples on the Web That lack of insight into her creativity has to be disappointing in a film about such a prolific songwriter, who does both music and lyrics. Caryn James, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2024 Guests clamored for selfies with Peacock’s megahit stars and asked for insights about the shocking finale that brought in huge viewership. Elizabeth Taylor, Variety, 11 Mar. 2024 Those insights will be crucial in the coming months as schools brace for the expiration of $122 billion federal relief used to reopen buildings, address mental health needs and help students who had fallen behind academically. Lauren Lumpkin, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2024 But the women in Qasr are not lacking insight about the world. Vrinda Jagota, SPIN, 11 Mar. 2024 On Tuesday, five days before a momentous, final Pac-12 showdown with Stanford, JuJu Watkins provided a simple insight into her worldview: the game of basketball is about who can adapt the fastest. Luca Evans, Orange County Register, 11 Mar. 2024 But a memo sent in fall 2023 to car dealers across the US, obtained by CNN, gives an insight into just how determined the company is to weaken the US government’s EV policies. Angela Dewan, CNN, 10 Mar. 2024 Still, the performance of foundation models has already led their creators to wonder about the role of human biologists in a world where computers make important insights on their own. Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2024 Deloitte, for example, has an alumni network of more than 20,000 individuals who are offered networking events, insight opportunities and referral rewards. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'insight.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of insight was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near insight

Cite this Entry

“Insight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insight. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

insight

noun
in·​sight ˈin-ˌsīt How to pronounce insight (audio)
: the power or act of seeing into or understanding a situation

Medical Definition

insight

noun
in·​sight ˈin-ˌsīt How to pronounce insight (audio)
1
: understanding or awareness of one's mental or emotional state or condition
2
: immediate and clear understanding (as seeing the solution to a problem or the means to reaching a goal) that takes place without recourse to overt trial-and-error behavior

More from Merriam-Webster on insight

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