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
Instead, this trickster figure proffers the idea that Shakespeare was too perspicacious to be just some white guy.
—
Theater Critic,
San Francisco Chronicle,
29 Jan. 2026
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
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
As played by the perspicacious young performer Aoife Riddell, Phoebe is perhaps the realest part of the whole picture, a sweet and desperate and boy-crazy kid bouncing with eagerness and nerves.
—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2019
Forty-five years have passed since the late Professor Price coined his perspicacious term.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
3 Nov. 2010
Theater Critic,
San Francisco Chronicle,
29 Jan. 2026
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
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
As played by the perspicacious young performer Aoife Riddell, Phoebe is perhaps the realest part of the whole picture, a sweet and desperate and boy-crazy kid bouncing with eagerness and nerves.
—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2019
Forty-five years have passed since the late Professor Price coined his perspicacious term.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
3 Nov. 2010
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perspicacious
Adjective
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Historically, the spring editions of the Paris men’s trade shows have been less significant business-wise than shows for fall collections, but that is shifting.
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Still, there are moments when stepping back is the wiser act of stewardship, for both the owner and the business.
Adjective
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The Colombia margin would have been larger but for the brilliant play of Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi, who twice came up with two-handed saves to prevent goals.
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The winner of 28 Grammys, Jones was a music producer, band leader, composer, arranger, television producer, music executive, conductor, trumpet player, civil rights activist, philanthropist and all-around brilliant person.
Adjective
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See, for me, naming a snowplow isn’t just about clever wordplay.
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Later in the day, your mind finds a clever solution, a useful contact or a whole new point of view.
Adjective
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The robot staff behind the scenes Pudu's FlashBot will run an intelligent vending system, allowing guests to order drink deliveries by smartphone.
-
His after-game interviews were always intelligent and sometimes humorous.
Adjective
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Share a smart idea with a neighbor, then turn it into a clear message while your mind stays agile.
-
The Knicks could, hypothetically, trade a starter to create space beneath the second apron to re-sign Robinson, but breaking up a starting five that just won a title is not a smart idea.
Adjective
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He is usually reserved but has a pleasant personality and a keen sense of humor.
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The Athletic reported in April that Everton are keen for Grealish to return to the club this summer, having returned to Manchester City.
Adjective
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To start, Lendeborg is an exceptional passer who can run point from the forward position.
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Collectors are competing for works with scarcity, exceptional provenance, and a clear place in art history.
Adjective
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However, astute investors can identify when fear has pushed expectations below a reasonable future outlook.
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They were refined and astute thinkers.
Cite this Entry
“Perspicacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perspicacious. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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