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
Forty-five years have passed since the late Professor Price coined his perspicacious term.
—
IEEE Spectrum, 3 Nov. 2010
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
IEEE Spectrum, 3 Nov. 2010
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perspicacious
Adjective
-
Stashing a talented prospect like him is a wise decision for a front office that should be taking a long view with its rebuild, not to mention Douglas’ history of concussions (two in 2023) and contract coming up next season.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
22 Aug. 2025
-
But the Tigers also made wise offseason moves, not the least of which was signing former New York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres to a one-year, $15 million contract.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Rob McCord is a brilliant attorney, capable of managing high-level budget deliberations while also engaging his mind creatively — whether in another language or in poetry.—
Aegis reader commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Aug. 2025
-
If Jefferson is limited in any way, the wide receiver cupboard is not exactly stocked with brilliant talent.—
Steve Silverman,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The result is a hollow movie—but its very hollowness gives rise to a diabolical twist that’s more than merely clever.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
21 Aug. 2025
-
That the style of Beto’s documentary is so jumpy didn’t help, either, however clever the idea of making his film an episode unto itself.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The scaling hypothesis—the belief that bigger models will produce more intelligent outputs—seems to rest on the dubious belief that a system that has been fed enough information about the world will not have to deal with fuzziness.—
Meghan O’Gieblyn,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Across a wide network, each unit can become intelligent by deploying state-of-the-art technologies and AI, but also by gaining easy access to insights from more successful locations.—
Andrei Danescu,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
From supporting local zoning reforms to promoting smart federal investments, our goal is simple: expand access to homeownership.—
Collyn Wainwright,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
-
Hope Anne is a smart girl who’s eager to learn, especially if treats and praise are involved.—
Trish Stinger,
Kansas City Star,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Hamburg are keen on signing the 18-year-old centre-half to reinforce their squad following promotion back to the Bundesliga.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
-
Ken, too, isnt so keen on Ned rocking the boat and changing things up.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Best Hotels & Resorts Fairmont Austin Downtown, the Fairmont Austin offers six dining venues, three bars, an exceptional spa and pool, and gorgeous views of the skyline, Lady Bird Lake, and the State Capitol building.—
Amanda Ogle,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Aug. 2025
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The Heart of Sarajevo goes to the film done with exceptional precision and amazing creativity.—
Diana Lodderhose,
Deadline,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
So, having as much spending money as possible, especially with Bryce Young entering the fourth year of his rookie contract in 2026, is astute.—
Mike Kaye
August 20,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Elliott Investment Management Ownership: n/a Average Cost: n/a Activist Commentary: Elliott is a very successful and astute activist investor.—
Kenneth Squire,
CNBC,
2 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perspicacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perspicacious. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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