incisive

Examples

• All

• The scholar was erudite and accessible, incisive and playful at the same time.

  Academic text (2007)

• By the same token, some postcolonial authors have proven to be among the most incisive critics of postcolonial regimes.

  Academic text (1998)

• Now, we were going to go week by week and offer incisive football analysis.

  Blog text (12)

• Thank you, President Wells, for that incisive description of 20 years of work.

  Kinsey (2004)

• These are just some of the basic, profound questions that have engaged the incisive mind of our first honored guest.

• I just love her very incisive and trenchant observations, this being one of them.

• GK, I return to this blog because I find your articles incisive and generally thought-provoking.

  Blog text (31)

• As she often does, Maddow puts things together with such incisive insight, wit, and power.

  Blog text (18)

• There are clearly many good journalists, incisive commentators, and brave cameramen in Turkey.

  Academic text (2000)

• Thomas Paine delivered the most incisive criticisms against monarchic rule.

  Academic text (2009)

Synonyms

S

sharp

vsincisive

152 3.3

Quick at noticing small details and understanding things

adds the ability to express those thoughts clearly and directly not only noticing

I

insightful

vsincisive

79 5.7

Showing a clear, deep understanding of a difficult problem or situation

is more about showing that understanding through clear direct expression

K

keen

vsincisive

57 2.8

Having a quick, clear mind that notices small details

also requires clear direct expression of ideas not just fine perception

A

acute

vsincisive

21 4.1

Able to notice and understand things quickly

puts more weight on expressing clear direct ideas than speed of noticing

L

lucid

vsincisive

9 4.5

Clear and easy to understand language

also involves deep understanding and more directly stated insight

I

intelligible

vsincisive

8 4.4

Easy to hear and understand

adds deeper understanding and more direct expression rather than plain comprehension

S

sharp as a tack

vsincisive

• Informal

5 6.7

Able to understand new things very quickly

leans more toward expressing ideas clearly and deeply rather than only quickness

C

clear-thinking

vsincisive

3 4.2

Able to think calmly and logically without confusion or distraction

adds also the need to state those thoughts clearly and directly for others

P

penetrating

vsincisive

3 5.4

Quick to understand and notice important details

also emphasizes expressing those insights clearly and directly

D

discriminating

vsincisive

2 6.2

Showing good taste and the ability to notice small differences in quality

focuses on clear deep understanding and expression not taste or aesthetic judgement

P

piercing

vsincisive

1 6.3

A person who notices and understands things quickly and deeply

focuses more on expressing ideas clearly and directly than sudden depth

P

penetrative

vsincisive

7.5

Understands things quickly and deeply

stresses also clear direct expression of those insights rather than only recognition

K

knifelike

vsincisive

6.8

Thinking or words that are very sharp and hurt people quickly

is about clear deep understanding and expression not violent harshness

Antonyms

C

confused

692 1.3

Not able to think clearly or understand what is happening

V

vague

230 4.6

Not clear or detailed so you are unsure what is meant

How Insightful

trenchant

• Formal

3 8.2

penetrating

3 5.4

incisive

• Formal

8 6.8

insightful

79 5.7

perceptive

43 5.5

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology