as in acidic
very clear and direct
She provided an incisive analysis that changed my entire opinion on the issue.
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Recent Examples of incisive
Students are expected to come with an open mind, be active listeners, and ask incisive questions.
—
Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 7 Jan. 2026
The brewery’s ball pit is meant to be an incisive commentary on our generation’s tendency to enjoy the trappings of adulthood—such as consuming alcohol—without fully committing to the responsibilities that are supposed to come with them, such as parenthood.
—Eddie Small, New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2026
And sometimes a single incisive perception will do.
—Christian Wiman, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
For incisive and globally-minded poetry, argument, fiction, and essays from writers like Benjamin Moser, Aria Aber, and Soyonbo Borjgin—check out Equator.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 17 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incisive
Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 7 Jan. 2026
The brewery’s ball pit is meant to be an incisive commentary on our generation’s tendency to enjoy the trappings of adulthood—such as consuming alcohol—without fully committing to the responsibilities that are supposed to come with them, such as parenthood.
—Eddie Small, New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2026
And sometimes a single incisive perception will do.
—Christian Wiman, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
For incisive and globally-minded poetry, argument, fiction, and essays from writers like Benjamin Moser, Aria Aber, and Soyonbo Borjgin—check out Equator.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 17 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incisive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incisive
Adjective
-
Mushy, wrinkled, moldy, or acidic-smelling grapes should only be food for your compost.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Dark roasts are less acidic than other roasts.—
Emily Santora,
Health,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
What’s lacking is acid, some tang, to cut through the excess of richness.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Jan. 2026
-
What begins as a slow, lumbering triplet rhythm gradually morphs into a fleet and elegant quasi-acid jam; drums that start off gently turn tough and clattering before the whole thing fades out in a soft sunset glow.—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Luge is the most dangerous of the three sliding sports (bobsled and skeleton are the others) — ironic because athletes in that event actually have the most control.—
Lindsay Schnell,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Then in an ironic twist, Jones and Towns bumped heads as the All-Star center tried to drive on Jones.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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As Mercury enters Pisces, your social life is busy, but concise communication isn’t your strong suit.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
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Get concise answers to your questions.—
David L. Stern,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The clashes at the core of the superb screenplay, by the helmer and Doruntina Basha, receive trenchant reinforcement in the score.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Perhaps a better comparison for A$AP’s style isn’t a rhyme animal like Lamar, but a maximalist visionary like Travis Scott, who also seems more focused on colorful aural vibes than trenchant lyrical exegesis.—
Mosi Reeves,
Rolling Stone,
19 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The stories might be funny, painful or poignant, but at the end of the night they’re all meant to be unforgettable.—
Randy McMullen,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
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His response makes Camilla’s avoidance all the more poignant.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
There was zero indication that Catherine O’Hara was anywhere near done with her hysterically acerbic arc on this Apple TV smash, one of the biggest comedies of the streaming era.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 2026
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Jackie Prutsman is suitably acerbic and Aspen Thompson has particular fun with some physical comedy in the second act.—
Matthew J. Palm,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Cynical and sardonic, Emma is a bright and caring veterinarian who lives at home in a coven with her vampire parents, Charles and Liz.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
9 Feb. 2026
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Its sardonic view of our digital echo chambers has only grown more relevant since its release.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incisive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incisive. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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