Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective perspicuous differ from other similar words?

The words clear and lucid are common synonyms of perspicuous. While all three words mean "quickly and easily understood," perspicuous applies to a style that is simple and elegant as well as clear.

a perspicuous style

When is clear a more appropriate choice than perspicuous?

While the synonyms clear and perspicuous are close in meaning, clear implies freedom from obscurity, ambiguity, or undue complexity.

clear instructions

When might lucid be a better fit than perspicuous?

In some situations, the words lucid and perspicuous are roughly equivalent. However, lucid suggests a clear logical coherence and evident order of arrangement.

a lucid explanation

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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perspicuous
Adjective
  • Entertainment Fans of the show on social media seem to be missing a lot of crucial character development, and there’s an obvious explanation why.
    Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025
  • In its wildest moments, Coogler’s film seems like a collision of Lovecraft Country with True Blood, though more obvious comparisons will likely be drawn to From Dusk Till Dawn.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • It had been stated before, that Starfleet ships in the 23rd century didn’t have holodecks, but suddenly here is one — that grid pattern is unmistakable — and the crew seems to be using it to solve a whodunnit, Christie-style.
    Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 2 Apr. 2025
  • For over 20 years, her unmistakable voice has been the soundtrack to countless lives, blending gospel music a powerful message of faith.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • As a result, the union met with Carr on Monday in apparent hopes that Carr, who has promised tight scrutiny of the merger, uses his muscle to achieve measures that protect workers.
    Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Witkoff’s apparent favorability toward negotiations was cited by regional sources speaking to an Israeli newspaper as one reason Khamenei softened up and wrote back to Trump.
    Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The economic case for implementing those other policies is more straightforward than the case for tariffs.
    Alden Abbott, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Getting to their stadium is mostly straightforward with the Gtech Community Stadium, which has a capacity of under 18,000 and opened in 2020, sitting at the side of Kew Bridge.
    Caoimhe O'Neill, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Yet, no effort to thoughtfully manage Medicaid premiums is evident, particularly at a time when Congress has its eyes set on cutting this line item nationally, disproportionately impacting New York.
    Eric J. Gertler, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Chelsea provided six of England’s 11 starters (Hampton, Bronze, Bright, Niamh Charles, Keira Walsh and Lauren James), and those strong dynamics forged among players who train together every day are evident.
    Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • With these women having formidable 400-meter performances, there was no clear sign of who would reign victorious.
    Katelyn Hutchison, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • That was clear in Miami this week when Alonso belted a grand slam on Monday and a three-run homer on Wednesday.
    Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The title drop, when a line of dialogue references the film’s title, is a delicate art with a distinct cult following.
    Donald Liebenson, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The New Yorker received the National Magazine Award for photography, winning for images illustrating three very distinct stories.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Perspicuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perspicuous. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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