insight

noun

in·​sight ˈin-ˌsīt 

1

: the power or act of seeing into a situation : penetration

2

: the act or result of apprehending the inner nature of things or of seeing intuitively

Synonyms

• discernment
• perception
• perceptiveness
• perceptivity
• sagaciousness
• sagacity
• sageness
• sapience
• wisdom

Choose the Right Synonym for insight

discernment, discrimination, perception, penetration, insight, acumen mean a power to see what is not evident to the average mind.

discernment stresses accuracy (as in reading character or motives or appreciating art).

the discernment to know true friends

discrimination stresses the power to distinguish and select what is true or appropriate or excellent.

the discrimination that develops through listening to a lot of great music

perception implies quick and often sympathetic discernment (as of shades of feeling).

a novelist of keen perception into human motives

penetration implies a searching mind that goes beyond what is obvious or superficial.

lacks the penetration to see the scorn beneath their friendly smiles

insight suggests depth of discernment coupled with understanding sympathy.

a documentary providing insight into the plight of people affected by the housing crisis

acumen implies characteristic penetration combined with keen practical judgment.

a director of reliable box-office acumen

Examples of insight in a Sentence

… I had a big insight and a little insight about the book. —Rust Hills, Esquire, April 1973

… realizing this gave me no insight into how to correct it. —Bartley McSwine, Change, May–June 1971

… might well offer fresh insights as to the character and extent of the social adaptation involved. —George C. Barker, ETC, Summer 1945

He is a leader of great insight.

The author analyzes the problem with remarkable insight.

I had a sudden insight.

Her book provides us with fresh new insights into this behavior.

Recent Examples on the Web

But perhaps the most powerful insight of Sand-Catcher is that the call to bear witness shouldn’t supersede the right to privacy. —Bekah Waalkes, The Atlantic, 5 Dec. 2024

Driving the news: Marker Collective — which consists of PR firms Outcast, Archetype and Nectar — has partnered with media insights platform Memo to make readership metrics readily available to their more than 450 clients. —Eleanor Hawkins, Axios, 5 Dec. 2024

To delve deeper into this evolving issue, Newsweek has reached out to medical experts for further insights. —Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024

Based on the insights, focus on the issues that require immediate attention. —Lauren Parr, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

insight

noun

in·​sight ˈin-ˌsīt 

: the power or act of seeing into or understanding a situation

Medical Definition

insight

noun

in·​sight ˈin-ˌsīt 

1

: understanding or awareness of one's mental or emotional state or condition

2

: immediate and clear understanding (as seeing the solution to a problem or the means to reaching a goal) that takes place without recourse to overt trial-and-error behavior