sagacious

American  

[suh-gey-shuhs] / səˈgeɪ ʃəs /

adjective

1. having or showing acute mental discernment and keen practical sense; shrewd.

   Socrates, that sagacious Greek philosopher, believed that the easiest way to learn was by asking questions.

   Synonyms:

   perspicacious, keen, sharp, acute, judicious, intelligent, clever, discerning, sage, wise

   Antonyms:

   unwise

2. Obsolete. having an acute sense of smell.

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sagacious British  

/ səˈɡeɪʃəs /

adjective

1. having or showing sagacity; wise

2. obsolete (of hounds) having an acute sense of smell

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Other Word Forms

• quasi-sagacious adjective
• quasi-sagaciously adverb
• sagaciously adverb
• sagaciousness noun
• supersagacious adjective
• supersagaciously adverb
• supersagaciousness noun
• unsagacious adjective
• unsagaciously adverb
• unsagaciousness noun

Etymology

Origin of sagacious

First recorded in 1600–10; sagaci(ty) + -ous

Example Sentences

It’s a sagacious survival strategy in a country where what will happen next is anybody’s guess.

From Los Angeles Times

Not many countries are often blessed with as sagacious a leader as Mariano, but many a family and institution will, through him, be reminded of the worth of such august figures.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Even at an early age, Charlie showed sagacious negotiating ability, and usually gained a bigger specimen or one with unusual coloring,” Broggie wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

And not a sagacious orchestral adaptation of swing — as in Adams’s “City Noir” — but the genuine article.

From New York Times

It’s a touching and sagacious concept — though hardly one guaranteed to be an artistic success.

From New York Times