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Synonyms

incisive

American  
[in-sahy-siv] / ɪnˈsaɪ sɪv /

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 British  
/ ɪnˈsaɪsɪv /

adjective

  1. keen, penetrating, or acute

  2. biting or sarcastic; mordant

    an incisive remark

  3. having a sharp cutting edge

    incisive teeth
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of incisive

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Jaeden Martell and Asa Butterfield play two very different adolescents in Oscar Boyson’s timely, cynical and incisive feature debut.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

This delightful production, directed with a sprightly touch by Robert Falls, who led the Goodman for 35 years, glitters with the incisive wit that was a hallmark of Mr. Greenberg’s writing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

He said Crook's latest series is "quite incisive, it's not dreamy, he writes very funny lines, very tart and quite sardonic in their way".

From BBC • Feb. 10, 2026

Approaching the story with a mix of dewy nostalgia and incisive clarity, the film earned Reiner the first of three nominations from the Directors Guild of America.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 15, 2025

He put his hands on the table to steady himself, his incisive features melted, his eyebrows shot up, he laughed loudly.

From "Go Set a Watchman: A Novel" by Harper Lee

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.