perspicacity

noun

Definition of perspicacitynext
as in intellect
an ability to notice and understand things that are difficult or not obvious She had the perspicacity to recognize the underlying problem.

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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 perspicacity And our unity with divine Mind endows each of us with the intelligence, spiritual insight, and perspicacity to make sound decisions, including consenting to receiving all the good God has prepared for us. — Karen Neff, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perspicacity
  1. intellect
  2. sensitivity
  3. intelligence
  4. power
  5. sense
  6. acumen
  7. acuity
  8. understanding
Noun
  • Temilola Adeoye, a comedian, writer and content creator in New York City,attributes this behavior to shortcomings in intellect and literacy — or to a desire to have one’s intellect validated by others.
    — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
  • Toni Collette is phenomenal as Christie’s beloved detective, capturing both her sharp intellect and her understanding of human nature.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 15 July 2026
Definition of intellect
Noun
  • Given the turbulence, complexity and sensitivity of our world, perhaps the tournament is now established as a proxy for expressing global anxieties.
    — Simon Chadwick, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • Salmon contains omega-3 fats that may offer additional benefits for insulin sensitivity and heart health.
    — Lindsey DeSoto, Health, 20 July 2026
Definition of sensitivity
Noun
  • Unlike the direct style under Glasner, Sage’s way of playing may allow for more space to make the most of Pino’s intelligence, interplay and technical and passing ability.
    — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • But, citing Iraqi intelligence estimates, Mohammed said the number of ISIS fighters in neighboring Syria has increased from around 2,000 to as many as 10,000 since the collapse of Bashar Assad's government in 2024.
    — Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of intelligence
Noun
  • Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan and Saudi Arabia reported raising alarms or fending off Iranian attacks, as Kuwait said another power and water desalination plant was hit.
    — Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
  • The strikes injured several people at the oil facility and caused a fire at the desalination plant, forcing several power generation units offline.
    — Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 18 July 2026
Definition of power
Noun
  • In that sense, the conditions included in the Garnacho deal must have a realistic possibility of not occurring in order for the deal to be recorded, at least initially, as a loan.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • With real couples, the sense of love and familiarity was already present.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of sense
Noun
  • Cignetti has tapped into a distinctly Hoosier brand of team pride, which proves that his acumen is just as strong off the football field as on it.
    — Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 28 Jan. 2026
  • The guys up at Auburn rave about his intelligence, his football acumen and his work ethic.
    — Creg Stephenson | [email protected], al, 20 Jan. 2023
Definition of acumen
Noun
  • Whitehead conjures New York with the deeply experienced intelligence and acuity of Claude McKay in his exultant, picaresque novels of Black life in the early 20th century.
    — David Hajdu, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026
  • Patients are entering the system with higher-acuity conditions that could have been addressed earlier.
    — Julia Strandberg, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of acuity
Noun
  • In highly specialized environments, success depends on deep contextual understanding, not broad knowledge.
    — TerDawn DeBoe, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • There is an understanding within the club about the anxiety caused by that first batch of emails, which were received out of the blue.
    — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of understanding

Browse Nearby Words

perspicacious
perspicacity
perspicuity
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Cite this Entry

“Perspicacity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perspicacity. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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