Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective astute differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of astute are perspicacious, sagacious, and shrewd. While all these words mean "acute in perception and sound in judgment," astute suggests shrewdness, perspicacity, and diplomatic skill.

an astute player of party politics

When could perspicacious be used to replace astute?

While in some cases nearly identical to astute, perspicacious implies unusual power to see through and understand what is puzzling or hidden.

a perspicacious counselor saw through the child's facade

When might sagacious be a better fit than astute?

In some situations, the words sagacious and astute are roughly equivalent. However, sagacious suggests wisdom, penetration, and farsightedness.

sagacious investors got in on the ground floor

When would shrewd be a good substitute for astute?

Although the words shrewd and astute have much in common, 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 astute Another accidental productive out and some astute baserunning in the second inning brought in their second run. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Sep. 2025 The astute businesswoman was heralded by our Forever First Lady Michelle Obama after Chapman helped Black women lean into their love of the former FLOTUS’s groundbreaking memoir, Becoming. Bridgette Bartlett, Essence, 16 Sep. 2025 McDonnell will portray Jen, the astute mother-in-law to John (Holloway) who looks after his daughters after an electromagnetic pulse attack throws society into chaos. Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 15 Sep. 2025 Instead of viewing this as a lack of ambition, astute employers will recognize it as a wake-up call about what motivates the future workforce in a post-social contract age. Cynthia Pong, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for astute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for astute
Adjective
  • For me, it’s been really essential to read a lot of great information, and to come at the world filled with knowledge and all these ideas of, in my view, much smarter and braver people than myself.
    Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Those rats were smarter, and their brains were larger and more complex than the brains of the rats in the isolated condition.
    Big Think, Big Think, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Costco, though, was a shrewd recombination of what had come before rather than a straight copy.
    Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
  • The shrewd operator who is also wildly reactive merges both aspects of his character with his off-script moment heard ‘round the world.
    Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Pet holiday deals 2025 Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations.
    Christine Persaud, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The warehouse store, known for its price savvy staples, is also excellent at rolling out new and returning seasonal favorites to delight their warehouse club members.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Kizzi’s fate, drama-wise, is not in butting heads with people in her team, but in boatmance.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Also, color-wise, this phone doesn’t give you many possibilities.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Astute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astute. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

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