incisive

[in-sahy-siv]

adjective

1. penetrating; cutting; biting; trenchant.

   an incisive tone of voice.

   Synonyms: sardonic, sarcastic, mordant, acid

2. remarkably clear and direct; sharp; keen; acute.

   an incisive method of summarizing the issue.

3. adapted for cutting or piercing.

4. of or relating to the incisors.

   the incisive teeth.

incisive

/ ɪnˈsaɪsɪv /

adjective

1. keen, penetrating, or acute

2. biting or sarcastic; mordant

   an incisive remark

3. having a sharp cutting edge

   incisive teeth

Other Word Forms

• incisively adverb
• incisiveness noun
• unincisive adjective
• unincisively adverb
• unincisiveness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of incisive¹

From the Medieval Latin word incīsīvus, dating back to 1520–30. See incise, -ive

Example Sentences

She said she kept the prized the correspondence folded inside her books, adding: "Any letter from her was like everything she ever wrote - sparkling and incisive and just a joy to read."

From BBC

The late Dixie Carter’s Julia Sugarbaker is a proud Georgia liberal who, in one of the show’s incisive monologues, lambastes a right-wing blowhard advocating for inserting prayer into schools.

From Salon

What relevance remains rests in its hosts’ amiability and incisive commentary.

From Salon

If you’ve been lucky enough to come across one of Harron Walker’s articles in her years as a journalist, you know that she has both a truly singular point of view and incisive wit.

From Salon

Some find the film’s dissection of the economics of dating to be incisive, while others think it’s outdated and cold.

From Salon

Related Words

• acerbic 
• biting 
• caustic 
• concise 
• mordant 
• penetrating 
• sardonic 
• satirical 
• scathing 
• succinct 
• terse 
• trenchant