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
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One obvious reason for my interest in the movie, then, was that Walter Matthau reminded me, a little bit, of my father.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
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There are good pieces in place, but replacing or re-signing Bregman seems to be an obvious offseason priority, and another impact starter would certainly help.—
Stephen J. Nesbitt,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Kerrygold Salted Butter Sticks The creamy texture of Kerrygold Butter is unmistakable—and a delicious addition to a holiday meal or dessert.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Two cars named Above and Beyond with subtle but unmistakable nautical references—including the port and starboard colors on a boat’s lights, along with design motifs of several famous superyachts.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The image quickly drew astonishment and amusement from Reddit users, who could not believe the apparent lack of awareness—or concern—by the neighbors responsible.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Toklas went on to fiercely uphold the author’s legacy, honoring Stein’s apparent desire to be understood while at the same time respecting her equally strong wish to remain elusive.—
Daphne Merkin,
The Atlantic,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Office attire’s comeback was evident in Working for It, a theme centered on sculptural structure and nods to the ’80s.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
31 Oct. 2025
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This was evident in Indiana's capital city, when Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Chief Chris Bailey announced that his department lacked the authority to enforce federal immigration laws, a move backed by the city's police union.—
Noe Padilla,
IndyStar,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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There’s a timelessness to these spaces, but the feelings the images evoke are more nuanced and uneasy than straightforward nostalgia.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2025
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The process to reimagine the Wild West in the 21st Century wasn’t always straightforward, Dow said.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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However, Mamdani is still a clear frontrunner heading into Election Day, and maintained a two-digit lead in other polls taken just days earlier.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
4 Nov. 2025
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The assertions came despite a lack of clear scientific evidence, and Kenvue has called them simply false.—
NPR,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The Maserati GranTurismo Folgore's exterior is distinct and aggressive.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
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Gold sought to make a similar point with Fuji – an album named for a distinct genre from Nigeria’s Yourba ethnic group that critics like Zikoko’s Tomide Marv have since claimed is largely absent from its tracklist.—
Mankaprr Conteh,
Rolling Stone,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perspicuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perspicuous. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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