as in wise
formal
having or showing an ability to notice and understand things that are difficult or not obvious
She considers herself a perspicacious judge of character. The critic made some perspicacious observations about the film.
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Recent Examples of perspicacious
The 'perspicacious' Marvin Harrison Jr., and what that means for the Cardinals
Like the former Ohio State star, Devin, 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, also was a receiver.
—
Doug Haller, The Athletic, 29 July 2024
If a new Bridgerton-sibling romance each season is the series’ gimmick, then Penelope has proven to be its soul—a vividly realistic protagonist whose perspicacious alter ego tethered each fairytale courtship to earth.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 14 June 2024
More perspicacious than angry invective alone, that alchemy of tones has been her signature since the early ’90s, when a 20-something Hanna fronted Bikini Kill, the punk band that became the most visible act associated with the third-wave feminist movement known as riot grrrl.
—TIME, 7 May 2024
One of the few perspicacious journalists of the Trump era, Graeme Wood, put it pithily: The Deep State is in the White House, and Trump appointed it.
—Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 13 Dec. 2023
With the help of friends in the publishing world, Jaffrey’s draft landed in the hands of the perspicacious Knopf editor Judith Jones in 1971.
—Mayukh Sen, Washington Post, 27 Nov. 2023
Photographs show Pym looking jolly and perspicacious, with charmingly crooked English teeth.
—Thomas Mallon, The New Yorker, 30 May 2022
This particular Ferrari F50 was delivered new, in 1996, to Étienne Léandri, a defense lawyer and perspicacious Ferrari collector from Monaco.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2022
As some of the nation’s most perspicacious observers have noted, self-regulation is a crucial component of fixing what’s wrong with social media.
—Gilad Edelman, Wired, 30 Sep. 2021
Doug Haller, The Athletic, 29 July 2024
If a new Bridgerton-sibling romance each season is the series’ gimmick, then Penelope has proven to be its soul—a vividly realistic protagonist whose perspicacious alter ego tethered each fairytale courtship to earth.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 14 June 2024
More perspicacious than angry invective alone, that alchemy of tones has been her signature since the early ’90s, when a 20-something Hanna fronted Bikini Kill, the punk band that became the most visible act associated with the third-wave feminist movement known as riot grrrl.
—TIME, 7 May 2024
One of the few perspicacious journalists of the Trump era, Graeme Wood, put it pithily: The Deep State is in the White House, and Trump appointed it.
—Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 13 Dec. 2023
With the help of friends in the publishing world, Jaffrey’s draft landed in the hands of the perspicacious Knopf editor Judith Jones in 1971.
—Mayukh Sen, Washington Post, 27 Nov. 2023
Photographs show Pym looking jolly and perspicacious, with charmingly crooked English teeth.
—Thomas Mallon, The New Yorker, 30 May 2022
This particular Ferrari F50 was delivered new, in 1996, to Étienne Léandri, a defense lawyer and perspicacious Ferrari collector from Monaco.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2022
As some of the nation’s most perspicacious observers have noted, self-regulation is a crucial component of fixing what’s wrong with social media.
—Gilad Edelman, Wired, 30 Sep. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perspicacious
Adjective
-
Deferring college acceptance—postponing enrollment typically for one year—can be a thoughtful strategy when life circumstances, personal goals or practical considerations suggest that waiting might be the wiser path.—
Dr. Aviva Legatt,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Guidance and tariffs Dover made a few wise adjustments to its full-year outlook.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
That’s not going to be enough against Luka Dončić, who was brilliant again, and LeBron James, who nearly had a triple-double.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Étoile doesn’t just make that argument, in guest appearances by artists who bridge high and low, like David Byrne, and shouting out the brilliant documentarian Frederick Wiseman in a scene set at the Manhattan cinema mecca Film Forum.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The clever exploration of contrasts — marrying delicate fabrics, soft palettes, and masculine silhouettes — was the label’s unique formula for winning over fashion’s insiders, including powerhouse Moda Operandi.—
Angela Lei,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
-
The film follows 11-year-old Caroline (Johnson), a clever, sharp-eyed girl navigating a life of excitement and peril as a shoplifter with her mom Jocelyn (Williams).—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Talos, Pandora and other artificially intelligent entities had already set the stage for humans to explore this idea.—
Sofia Giannuzzi,
Smithsonian Magazine,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Yes, Love Hotel might be Bravo’s most emotionally intelligent experiment yet.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
An increasing number of smart, eco-conscious entrepreneurs are putting Earth first by utilizing unwanted materials that would otherwise end up as trash.—
Lisa Jhung,
Outside Online,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Even smart bulbs and other kinds of smart lighting often require less power than traditional lights.—
Simon Hill,
Wired News,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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From an investment standpoint, the Mavericks head coach has been keen on football for some time.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Banerji talked up the success of The Shadow Strays and Hunger, the latter of which hit No. 1 worldwide, but also was keen to stress the company’s firsts for the region, notably producing Outside, the first Filipino zombie movie that was released in 2024.—
Abid Rahman,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
His answer, given the exceptional political and economic turmoil in Canada, was a bit surprising.—
Ian Austen,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
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The secret to an exceptional Amatriciana lies in selecting impeccable guanciale Amatriciano—with its perfect balance of tender meat and luxurious fat—creating the foundation upon which this masterpiece is built.—
Jenn Rice,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
This is an astute observation from perhaps hockey’s most astute coach.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Financially, few compare to Tottenham Hotspur’s astute business acumen, as football finance expert at the University of Liverpool Kieran Maguire pointed out on Rio Ferdinand’s podcast recently.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perspicacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perspicacious. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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