incisive

adjective

in·​ci·​sive in-ˈsī-siv How to pronounce incisive (audio)
: impressively direct and decisive (as in manner or presentation)
an incisive analysis
an incisive unsentimental writer
incisively adverb
incisiveness noun

Did you know?

Incisive has meant "impressively direct and decisive" since around 1834 and derives from the Latin verb caedere, meaning "to cut." Its linguistic kin include many cuttings from the fruitful stem caedere, such as scissors, chisel, incise ("to cut into or engrave"), excise ("to remove by cutting"), incisor ("a front tooth typically adapted for cutting"), incision ("cut" or "gash"), precise ("minutely exact"), and concise ("brief"). Incisive also carries a couple of lesser-known literal meanings relating to cutting: "having a cutting edge or piercing point" (as in "incisive fangs"), and, in dentistry, "of, relating to, or situated near the incisors."

Examples of incisive in a Sentence

She's known for her incisive mind and quick wit.
Recent Examples on the Web Weekend Update Colin Jost lands an incisive joke about Donald Trump and Elon Musk cohosting SNL's Christmas show. Andy Hoglund, EW.com, 6 Oct. 2024 Without him — and without Deebo Samuel in the backfield — the Niners’ playcalling is bland and anything but incisive. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2024 Her incisive read on identity, place and culture are certain to resonate with particularly deep conviction just 13 days after the presidential election. Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 4 Sep. 2024 Moreover, Diop films the practicalities of the repatriation with incisive imagination. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for incisive 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'incisive.' 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

circa 1834, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of incisive was circa 1834

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near incisive

Cite this Entry

“Incisive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incisive. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

incisive

adjective
in·​ci·​sive in-ˈsī-siv How to pronounce incisive (audio)
: impressively clear and direct
an incisive argument
incisively adverb
incisiveness noun

Medical Definition

incisive

adjective
in·​ci·​sive in-ˈsī-siv How to pronounce incisive (audio)
: incisal
also : of, relating to, or situated near the incisors
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!