incisive

adjective

in·​ci·​sive in-ˈsī-siv 

: 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

Sunderland’s incisive, direct play was best showcased in the first leg of the play-off semi-final against Coventry, where Le Bris strayed from his preferred 4-3-3 to deploy both Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda as centre-forwards. —Thom Harris, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025

The Crucible meets The Virgin Suicides in this sharp, incisive novel. —Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 3 Aug. 2025

Over the decades, historians, intellectuals, activists, and cultural leaders have returned to Douglass’s incisive critique, continually reaffirming its significance in discussions of racial injustice and inequality in America. —Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 4 July 2025

Her camera is so incisive, always peeling back the veneers of polite conversation to reveal the messy, often contradictory emotions that drive us, that bewilder us. —Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1834, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for incisive

• decisive
• divisive
• indecisive

Kids Definition

incisive

adjective

in·​ci·​sive in-ˈsī-siv 

: impressively clear and direct

an incisive argument

incisively adverb

incisiveness noun

Medical Definition

incisive

adjective

in·​ci·​sive in-ˈsī-siv 

: incisal

also : of, relating to, or situated near the incisors