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astute

astute

40 6.9
Good at understanding a situation quickly and using it to get an advantage
  • adjective
  • /əˈstjuːt/
translation icon : astuto
  • She made an astute observation about the company's finances that impressed everyone.
  • politically astute
  • an astute observer
  • astute observations

So being an astute listener is very, very important.

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Examples

  • The section begins with an astute assessment of the political realities faced by policymakers.

    Academic text (1998)
  • I became, I thought, an astute judge of character, able to read the desires of my clients.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • You were very astute in the way you asked that question.

  • And please look back with an astute, honest, critical eye and look for the signs.

  • You made a very astute decision.

  • Very astute of you, James.

  • You are so astute sometimes it's surprising.

  • There has been plenty of astute criticism about particular developments in the art world.

    Academic text (1997)
  • That much was apparent to any astute observer.

  • The population became more mobile, more articulate, more politically astute, and more demanding.

    Academic text (1995)

Synonyms

wise
vsastute
758 2.1

Showing good judgment from experience

is more about clever, advantage seeking judgment in situations
sharp
vsastute
152 3.3

Quick at noticing small details and understanding things

uses quick intelligence specifically to exploit situations advantageously
keen
vsastute
57 2.8

Having a quick, clear mind that notices small details

channels sharp perception toward clever handling of situations
shrewd
vsastute
50 4.7

Good at judging situations and making smart business decisions

applies such judgment specifically to gain advantage in situations
perceptive
vsastute
43 5.5

Quick to notice or understand small details and meaning

uses that understanding to judge situations for personal advantage
observant
vsastute
35 3.9

Quick to notice small details and things around you

goes beyond noticing to exploit situations for personal benefit
discerning
vsastute
20 6.7

Able to notice small details and make good choices

applies that judgment to achieve practical or strategic benefit
sharp as a tack
vsastute
  • Informal
5 6.7

Able to understand new things very quickly

turns extreme mental quickness into advantage in particular cases
adroit
vsastute
4 7.5

Good at handling difficult situations and doing things with your hands

focuses more on using insight to gain advantage rather than just skill
sagacious
vsastute
  • Formal
2 8.6

Being very wise and good at making decisions

leans more toward clever advantage seeking than general wise counsel
perspicacious
vsastute
  • Formal
1 9.8

Able to notice and understand things that are not obvious

turns those insights into practical benefit or clever gain
percipient
vsastute
  • Formal
1 9.2

Able to notice and understand things quickly

transforms quick grasping into strategic advantage in situations
worldly-wise
vsastute
1 7.4

Experienced and careful about the practical side of life

uses practical knowledge specifically to assess and profit from situations
sapient
vsastute
  • Formal
1 9.9

Showing deep wisdom and good sense about people and life

is centered on practical cleverness to exploit situations rather than wisdom
penetrative
vsastute
7.5

Understands things quickly and deeply

uses deep understanding to act shrewdly for personal gain

Antonyms

505 1.3

Not showing good sense and making unwise choices

312 4.1

Not experienced and too ready to trust others

obtuse
  • Offensive
14 7.4

Slow to understand what other people mean

How Astute

shrewd
50 4.7
astute
40 6.9
perceptive
43 5.5
observant
35 3.9

Surface Forms

astute positive
astuter comparative
astutest superlative

Etymology

Astute comes from the Latin root astus, meaning 'craft' or 'clever trick'. So being astute is like using 'craft' with your mind to notice chances others miss and turn them to your advantage.