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
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Word to the wise: the end credits are more like a Marvel movie as they are interrupted by a longish extra scene that includes a special cast member, blues legend Buddy Guy, plus yet another musical number at the end of credits.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2025
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Getting another running back on Day 3 is a wise move, and getting Deion Sanders into the Cowboys’ stratosphere at No. 239 will certainly make Jerry Jones smile.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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That warrants definite watching to see if yet another brilliant scheme by Kyle and Kamilla can take hold.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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In his brilliant opening round 65, DeChambeau gained 3.7 strokes putting, nearly double his previous career-best number.—
Justin Ray,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The lingo, the faces, the concerns – all seemed, if not entirely authentic, then at least clever enough to create some backstage buzz.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2025
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Just make sure your clever solution doesn’t create additional fire hazards i.e. don’t hide cords under a rug.—
Maddie Topliff,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Untangling a relationship with SpaceX Some of the most intelligent questions came from US Sen. Andy Kim, D-New Jersey.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
9 Apr. 2025
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As generative AI continues to mature, the convergence of language models with mechanical design and control optimization points toward a future of mass customization and intelligent automation, where commanding a robot may be as simple as describing it.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The style is a challenge: should their comedy be smart and savvy or broad and easy-going?—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2025
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Light enough to layer over tights or leggings in colder weather, these pants are a smart choice for sightseeing or hiking in rainy conditions, but they can easily be dressed up with a cute blouse or blazer.—
Gabrielle Porcaro,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
At the time, Jase said his father was keen to return to work.—
Erin Clack,
People.com,
6 Apr. 2025
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She’s been especially keen on animal print, from her leopard tote bag to her zebra Fendi backpack.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This compact security camera offers exceptional value and robust features in a tiny design.—
Shubham Yewale,
PC Magazine,
14 Apr. 2025
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Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be a part of this exceptional community.—
Prime Development,
Kansas City Star,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Only the most astute short-term traders can do well in wild markets; ordinary investors need to keep calm and ignore all the headlines and price gyrations.—
Sal Gilbertie,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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At the same time, Scott’s act of mass ventriloquism—patient, playful, physically astute and ultimately brave—clarifies something at the heart of Chekhov’s play.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perspicacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perspicacious. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
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