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incisive

adjective

Definition of incisivenext
as in acidic
very clear and direct She provided an incisive analysis that changed my entire opinion on the issue.

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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 incisive Could Hassouna have formed a more incisive portrait of Gaza City’s wartime journalists and their actual output, giving us a sense of the group’s sociology? — Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026 Smart, funny, incisive, generous and, perhaps above all, unflappable. — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Richard Brody’s incisive piece about adaptation speaks to the essential question of creative freedom as a filmmaker adapts a work of literature. — Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026 Rita Cole again shows her mettle as an incisive character actor who can do so much with a side glance, an eye roll or the tone of a single word. — Oline Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for incisive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incisive
  1. acidic
  2. acid
  3. ironic
  4. concise
  5. trenchant
  6. poignant
  7. acerbic
  8. sardonic
Adjective
  • Estrogen loss thins the vaginal tissue and changes the microbiome, leading to a less acidic environment -- a breeding ground for harmful bacteria that cause UTIs.
    — Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Lime green piping traced an aubergine silk skirt; flashes of acidic color appeared on necklines and linings.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of acidic
Adjective
  • The idea that these two would have a five-minute-or-less breakup conversation, then plop down on the couch and happily embark on an acid trip together, strains credulity a little, even for this bizarre, codependent friend group.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • In a sequencer that resembled a large fridge, millions of short nucleic-acid fragments would be identified in the span of ten hours.
    — Jason Liebowitz, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of acid
Adjective
  • Still playful and ironic, but more complete and cohesive this time.
    — Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026
  • In a way, which is kind of ironic, Gucci has for me also become like a therapy.
    — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of ironic
Adjective
  • The networks do not submit their ad rates to public scrutiny, but these figures represent the most concise means of assessing the ratings projections for the 2026-27 season.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Expertise and experience can create faster, more concise outcomes.
    — Lis Anderson, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of concise
Adjective
  • Over time, as the human side of the evolving machine-flesh dyad matured, WHEEP-3 shifted its attention to the silicon partner, offering trenchant critiques of the inadequacies of machine learning.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Guys’ inability to fully deliver for Dean is explored in trenchant lyrics that seem to be exploring fateful realizations about so-so situationships in real time.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 17 July 2026
Definition of trenchant
Adjective
  • In all, Violins is a welcome addition to Blondshell’s discography, building on her familiar sound while digging deeper into her already precise and poignant songwriting.
    — Lyndsey Havens, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2026
  • One of the albums in the pair’s collection is filled with photographs (of extraordinary, poignant provenance) from the nineteen-forties and fifties of women who, as children, had been abducted and forced into prostitution.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of poignant
Adjective
  • Yiannopoulos’ acerbic and at times hateful speech attracted the fury of students who argued his views should not be platformed.
    — Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Malgorzata Szumowska, Michal Englert) Aimee Lou Wood and Johnny Flynn are superb as Anna and Fyodor Dostoevsky in Małgorzata Szumowska and Michał Englert’s acerbic and joyful period film.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of acerbic
Adjective
  • The Milk Carton Kids, comprised of Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan, were their typical sardonic selves as returning hosts, but had some serious thoughts about AI, and Americana music as the antithesis of it.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Along with her equally intellectual and sardonic (some may even say pessimistic) best friend Jane, Daria provided a terrifically entertaining rebuke to late ’90s and early aughts culture.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of sardonic

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Cite this Entry

“Incisive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incisive. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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