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
Forty-five years have passed since the late Professor Price coined his perspicacious term.
—
IEEE Spectrum, 3 Nov. 2010
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
IEEE Spectrum, 3 Nov. 2010
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perspicacious
Adjective
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Considering Micah Parsons, Trey Hendrickson and T.J. Watt are all in line for new deals soon, getting something done with Hutchinson sooner rather than later would be wise.—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
-
Which is wiser: Spending money on more firefighting resources after wildfires break out and absorbing the extraordinary cost of damages, or investing in technologies and training to prevent wildfires from happening in the first place?—
Abhishek Singh,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
Every sports league is better with a bad guy, and Reese subtly demeaning Clark is a brilliant marketing ploy.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 May 2025
-
Herbert works hard and plays hard — especially when his kids are out of town at camp, like Capricorns do, with his beautiful and brilliant wife, Lisa, by his side.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
Charlie Davis Season: 46 Placed: 2nd If Q was the hurricane blowing through Survivor 46, Davis was a source of calm geniality at the center, constantly quoting Taylor Swift songs while obscuring his careful, clever gameplay.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Time,
29 May 2025
-
The 76 gasoline brand, after all, evokes the patriotism of 1776 — a clever marketing ploy.—
Sammy Roth,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2025
Adjective
-
By freeing physicians from the need to be behind their computers during appointments, these intelligent assistants enable a more personal and engaging interaction with patients.—
Rakhee Langer,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
-
Designing the Future of AI Artificial intelligence is powering a new generation of tools that combine logic with intelligent action.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
Ushering In The Electrification Era Technologies enabling smart renewable energy solutions, reliable battery-management systems and sustainable manufacturing practices are central to our electricity infrastructure.—
Henrik Mannesson,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
-
Related article iPhone could triple in price to $3,500 if they’re made in the US, analyst warns Mohit Kumar, CEO and founder of smart ring maker Ultrahuman, has firsthand experience shifting production of a tech product to the US from India.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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President Donald Trump's administration is also keen to increase energy exports to India to address a U.S. trade deficit of well over $45 billion in 2024.—
Danish Manzoor Bhat,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 May 2025
-
Gustavo Mejia, the Mandarina experiences manager who runs the operation, played 53 matches last year and hosted professional players as well as beginners keen to learn.—
Maya Kachroo-Levine,
Travel + Leisure,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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The site is exceptional: The North Branch of the Chicago River winds through its full length, offering an opportunity to weave parkland through the development.—
Edward Keegan,
Chicago Tribune,
1 June 2025
-
All of our leathers are carefully selected from the finest tanneries in the world for their exceptional quality and functional capability.—
Felicity Carter,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
Adjective
-
The directors’ astute perception of (mis)communication between the sexes stems from her experience growing up with her parents, who stayed together for societal and financial reasons.—
Blake Simons,
IndieWire,
17 May 2025
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Only this time, a tactically astute coach is required.—
Henry Flynn,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perspicacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perspicacious. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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