ASTUTE Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'astute' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of astute are perspicacious , sagacious , and shrewd . While all these words mean "acute in perception and sound in judgment," astute suggests shrewdness, perspicacity, and diplomatic skill. // an astute player of party politics

Q: When could 'perspicacious' be used to replace 'astute'?

While in some cases nearly identical to astute , perspicacious implies unusual power to see through and understand what is puzzling or hidden. // a perspicacious counselor saw through the child's facade

Q: When might 'sagacious' be a better fit than 'astute'?

In some situations, the words sagacious and astute are roughly equivalent. However, sagacious suggests wisdom, penetration, and farsightedness. // sagacious investors got in on the ground floor

Q: When would 'shrewd' be a good substitute for 'astute'?

Although the words shrewd and astute have much in common, shrewd stresses practical, hardheaded cleverness and judgment. // a shrewd judge of character

astute

adjective

ə-ˈstüt

Definition of astute next

as in smart

having or showing a practical cleverness or judgment a police detective known to be an astute judge of character

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How does the adjective astute differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of astute are perspicacious, sagacious, and shrewd. While all these words mean "acute in perception and sound in judgment," astute suggests shrewdness, perspicacity, and diplomatic skill.

an astute player of party politics

When could perspicacious be used to replace astute?

While in some cases nearly identical to astute, perspicacious implies unusual power to see through and understand what is puzzling or hidden.

a perspicacious counselor saw through the child's facade

When might sagacious be a better fit than astute?

In some situations, the words sagacious and astute are roughly equivalent. However, sagacious suggests wisdom, penetration, and farsightedness.

sagacious investors got in on the ground floor

When would shrewd be a good substitute for astute?

Although the words shrewd and astute have much in common, shrewd stresses practical, hardheaded cleverness and judgment.

a shrewd judge of character

Examples 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 astute Tissot quickly established himself as an astute chronicler of Victorian life, with compositions that ranged in subject from glittering society parties to women of questionable repute sailing on the River Thames. —

Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Jan. 2025 But its glorious catalog lay in disarray, waiting for an astute buyer willing to mine its precious gems. —

Ernesto Lechner, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025 Observation Learn how to adapt to people and situations by being an astute observer and better-than-average listener. —

Expert Panel®, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025 And an understanding and analysis of the work and the film that is quite astute and eloquent and thoughtful without any other references or baggage in the mix. —

Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for astute

Recent Examples of Synonyms for astute

Adjective

Instead, the Flow 2 truly shines with these smart features.

— Ben Sin, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
That led to his breakout success with The Elephant Man, starring John Hurt as the friendly and smart but disfigured title character in Victorian England and Anthony Hopkins as the doctor who tries to treat him.

— Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 16 Jan. 2025