insight

noun in·sight \ ˈin-ˌsīt \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

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

See insight defined for English-language learners

See insight defined for kids

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 of insight from the Web

Through that interaction, the center became concerned Kogan intended to sell insights gained from its own research without properly licensing it.

— Fortune, "Mark Zuckerberg Picks a Fight With England's Elite Cambridge University," 13 Apr. 2018
The court hearing Friday didn’t provide new insight into why agents seized the items, but the judge, prosecutors and the attorneys all spoke openly about an investigation that previously has been shrouded in secrecy.

— BostonGlobe.com, "Lawyers for Trump’s attorney fight to shield items seized in FBI raid," 13 Apr. 2018
Still, schools in some parts of the country are embracing the kinds of insights offered by the panelists.

— natalie wexler, The Atlantic, "Why American Students Haven't Gotten Better at Reading in 20 Years," 13 Apr. 2018
This has led agricultural interests to demand insight into the White House’s strategic thinking on such matters.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump Looks Into Rejoining the Trans-Pacific Partnership," 12 Apr. 2018
Instilling in the profession insights into use of social media can be an uphill task, says Zachary Garbow, who left IBM with a colleague to start a company called Funeral Innovations.

— The Economist, "Why undertakers are worried," 12 Apr. 2018
For an economic corridor such as the Houston Ship Channel that could give companies and local officials insights in where to locate manpower and equipment and how best to shore up plants, pipelines and storage tanks.

— dug begley, Houston Chronicle, "Infrastructure improvements focus of new A&M center," 11 Apr. 2018
Here, see Heilbrunner’s honest, funny, and useful insights into pregnancy style.

— liana satenstein, Vogue, "How One German Street Style Star Reinvented the Art of Pregnancy Dressing," 10 Apr. 2018
The process yielded some new insights — along with a few awkward moments.

— NBC News, "Mark Zuckerberg testimony: Key moments from Facebook CEO's day in the hot seat," 10 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'insight.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of insight

13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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insight Synonyms

Synonyms

discernment, perception, perceptiveness, sagaciousness, sagacity, sageness, sapience, wisdom;

Near Antonyms

density, dullness (also dulness), obtuseness;

brainlessness, folly, foolishness, idiocy, imbecility, mindlessness, silliness, simplemindedness, simpleness, stupidity, witlessness;

illogic, irrationality, unreasonableness, unsoundness;

craziness, insanity, lunacy, madness;

preposterousness, senselessness, silliness, zaniness;

appreciation, apprehension, comprehension, grasp;

brain(s), braininess, brightness, brilliance, canniness, cleverness, gray matter, intellect, intelligence, judgment (or judgement), mentality, power, reason, sense, smartness, wit;

discrimination, foresight, foresightedness, judiciousness, prudence, sanity;

logic, rationality;

Synonym Discussion of 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

INSIGHT Defined for English Language Learners

insight

noun

: the ability to understand people and situations in a very clear way
: an understanding of the true nature of something

INSIGHT Defined for Kids

insight

noun in·sight \ ˈin-ˌsīt \

1 : the ability to understand a person or a situation very clearly

2 : the understanding of the truth of a situation

Medical Dictionary

insight

noun in·sight \ ˈin-ˌsīt \

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