as in obvious
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation
believing that poetry need not be as perspicuous as prose, he writes poems that are intentionally ambiguous
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Recent Examples of perspicuous
But where Hofstadter is playfully enigmatic and brashly brainy, Chalmers’s writing is perspicuous and teacherly — an approach that keeps it from collapsing into recalcitrant obscurity.
—
Washington Post, 11 Feb. 2022
Conditions in the state the planes left behind them were far less perspicuous.
—The Economist, 8 Feb. 2020
The president began his Monday by scrutinizing his national security briefing, filling its margins with perspicuous questions and observations.
—Eric Levitz, Daily Intelligencer, 10 July 2017
Unspoken but perspicuous is the wish to (at worst) score points off Democrats and (at best) free up a seat on the nation’s most important appeals court for a nominee from the Federalist Society weapons locker.
—Garrett Epps, The Atlantic, 12 May 2017
Washington Post, 11 Feb. 2022
Conditions in the state the planes left behind them were far less perspicuous.
—The Economist, 8 Feb. 2020
The president began his Monday by scrutinizing his national security briefing, filling its margins with perspicuous questions and observations.
—Eric Levitz, Daily Intelligencer, 10 July 2017
Unspoken but perspicuous is the wish to (at worst) score points off Democrats and (at best) free up a seat on the nation’s most important appeals court for a nominee from the Federalist Society weapons locker.
—Garrett Epps, The Atlantic, 12 May 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perspicuous
Adjective
-
Case for buying Unlike with many bad teams, which tend to perform poorly all over the field, this Red Sox team has mostly been kneecapped by one obvious, overwhelming flaw.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
-
The key to going the extra mile here is to install your curtains a bit higher above the windows than may be obvious.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
And Monroe's blonde legacy is so unmistakable that Lady Gaga's platinum pose recalls Monroe because of its evocation of Madonna.—
Rebecca Mead,
Allure,
29 May 2026
-
Listing agent Tiegen Boberg of Coldwell Banker Realty said the home’s appeal was unmistakable but specific, the kind of property that doesn’t fit neatly into a typical buyer checklist.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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His death was the first apparent suicide in a San Diego County jail since 2023.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2026
-
This news signals another apparent blow to any hopes Pitt, 62, has of reconnecting with any, or most, of his children.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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Nowhere is this more evident than in California’s almond orchards, a crop that requires bee pollination to bloom.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 May 2026
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This becomes evident when a generative AI search assistant presents statistically dominant viewpoints as objective truth while invisibilizing minority perspectives, emerging research, or culturally distinct forms of knowledge.—
Hamilton Mann,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Adjective
-
Osaka’s tennis shone, too, in a 6-3, 7-6(3) win that felt straightforward considering Siegemund’s ability to knock opponents off rhythm with her awkward, slice-laden game and use of tennis’ dark arts.—
Ava Wallace,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
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His pitching performance was less straightforward.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
-
The New York Knicks are in the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years for very clear reasons.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
The hotel also offers ultra-luxe suites, each with a distinct design theme (like Riviera and Christian Dior), and a penthouse suite with a heated rooftop pool and 360-degree views of the city, from the hills to the sea stretching across the horizon.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
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There are at least two distinct categories of retirees with dependent children.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perspicuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perspicuous. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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