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Synonyms

perspicacious

American  
[pur-spi-key-shuhs] / ˌpɜr spɪˈkeɪ ʃəs /

adjective

  1. having keen mental perception and understanding; discerning.

    to exhibit perspicacious judgment.

    Synonyms:
    penetrating, shrewd, acute, perceptive
    Antonyms:
    stupid, dull
  2. Archaic. having keen vision.


perspicacious British  
/ ˌpɜːspɪˈkeɪʃəs, ˌpɜːspɪˈkæsɪtɪ /

adjective

  1. acutely perceptive or discerning

  2. archaic having keen eyesight

"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

  • perspicaciously adverb
  • perspicaciousness noun
  • perspicacity noun

Etymology

Origin of perspicacious

First recorded in 1610–20; perspicaci(ty) + -ous

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.

Graham Robb’s “The Discovery of Britain” is a magnificently personal and perspicacious guide through his homeland.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

Crewe is perspicacious about marriage and other partnerships, the rituals couples employ, for good and ill.

From Washington Post • Dec. 29, 2022

In the perspicacious documentary “Being BeBe,” the director Emily Branham seems to have taken a page from Janet Malcolm.

From New York Times • Jun. 7, 2022

Smith has proven one of the most even-handed, perspicacious and insightful film critics out there.

From Fox News • Dec. 31, 2019

The Institution congratulates you on your perspicacious find.

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly