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 The introduction is by David Remnick, the magazine’s incisive and self-effacing editor. — Air Mail, 3 Oct. 2026 In Adnan, Regan could not have found a more captivating central character, whose incisive, ever-generous way with words, philosophical wisdom, and artworks are lovingly conveyed here. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026 This goes a long way to explain classic food and wine matchups such as Muscadet, an incisive, crisp white wine from the mouth of the Loire River in France, with oysters raised nearby. — Bill St. John, Denver Post, 25 Sep. 2026 Critics praise the show’s striking visual style, strong performances, and incisive commentary on modern office life and personal identity. — Jordana Rosenfeld, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 Sep. 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
  • With blistering satirical slants and a steady mix of acidic jabs at middle-class life, Darko should be boffo among the teen and young adults segment as well as those viewers still plugged into a sophomoric self-identity.
    — Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Rice vinegar is acidic and tart, with little natural sweetness.
    — Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of acidic
Adjective
  • They are accompanied by their keeper, a man with dwarfism, quite probably an acid joke at his expense.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Whatever your pleasure, there’s no wrong way to take an acid trip.
    — Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of acid
Adjective
  • Ethan then sued Denims for copyright infringement, which was ironic, as Ethan’s reaction videos set much of the precedent for what constitutes fair use on commentary YouTube.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2026
  • In 2007, a spooky — and ironic — recipe for peanut butter eyeballs was adapted and shared by Gale Gand, who got it from the American Association of Orthodontists.
    — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of ironic
Adjective
  • This excellent volume contains a series of concise and authoritative essays on key aspects of the Ghetto’s early history, written by leading experts in the field.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Gemini needed 11 seconds to respond despite delivering a more concise, straight-to-the-point answer.
    — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of concise
Adjective
  • All four movies exhibit Mackenzie’s knack for trenchant social and political commentary slightly heightened by his elegance as a dramatist and visceral genre filmmaker, and all are accompanied by illuminating supplements.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Writer-director Reed Van Dyk’s feature debut navigates tricky emotional waters but emerges as a trenchant examination of what forgiveness and penitence can look like, allowing no room for anything resembling a pat happy ending.
    — Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of trenchant
Adjective
  • The synth melody is poignant through the buds, but the upper vocal harmony and some of the upper-register atmospheric instruments are slightly buried.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The message became especially poignant that weekend when four service members died in a fire at a military base in Alberta.
    — Chantelle Lee, Time, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of poignant
Adjective
  • Inextricable to Long’s art, though, is a self-awareness and acerbic wit that elevates the narrative and reminds us that humor is integral to survival, too.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Add monsters, revenge, and a sharp dose of acerbic wit, and this became a passion project for me.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of acerbic
Adjective
  • Where Thomas is aloof and proud, Erika is prickly and sardonic, excellent tools for protecting a surprisingly fragile heart.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Those are just two of the many fun facts the sardonic rock star shared in his chat with Dimoldenberg, which also spanned Oasis’ massive stadium tour in 2025 and the band’s plans to embark on another trek next year.
    — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 23 Oct. 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 31 Oct. 2026.

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