sagacious

adjective

sə-ˈgā-shəs How to pronounce sagacious (audio)
Definition of sagaciousnext
as in wise
having or showing deep understanding and intelligent application of knowledge a sagacious critique of the current social climate in our nation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the adjective sagacious differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of sagacious are astute, perspicacious, and shrewd. While all these words mean "acute in perception and sound in judgment," sagacious suggests wisdom, penetration, and farsightedness.

sagacious investors got in on the ground floor

In what contexts can astute take the place of sagacious?

The synonyms astute and sagacious are sometimes interchangeable, but astute suggests shrewdness, perspicacity, and diplomatic skill.

an astute player of party politics

When is perspicacious a more appropriate choice than sagacious?

The words perspicacious and sagacious can be used in similar contexts, but perspicacious implies unusual power to see through and understand what is puzzling or hidden.

a perspicacious counselor saw through the child's facade

When can shrewd be used instead of sagacious?

While the synonyms shrewd and sagacious are close in meaning, shrewd stresses practical, hardheaded cleverness and judgment.

a shrewd judge of character

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sagacious The simplification of this rallying cry points to the exhibition’s sagacious curatorial focus. — Michaëla De Lacaze Mohrmann, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026 Harper’s has been a sagacious and elegant presence in all this for a very long time, since there were giants on the earth, Frederick Douglass and Herman Melville. — Literary Hub, 26 Nov. 2025 All that Manuel’s sagacious head coach Victor Valenzuela can do now is fine-tune his fighter’s composure. — Ben Wyatt, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2023 The story, which reads as a simple recitation of the facts, portrays the decision to use the bomb as one made with sagacious care. — Andy Kifer, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 July 2023 In the eye-popping sci-fi epic, Winslet plays the sagacious Ronal, an alien queen and healer who leads the oceanic Metkayina clan. — Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sagacious
  1. wise
  2. prudent
  3. insightful
Adjective
  • The wisest societal response to this would, of course, be to set out a policy framework to address both the root causes and the symptoms of the problem.
    — Justin Worland, Time, 14 Aug. 2026
  • On her latest record, Girlfriend, Ives contends with getting older and wiser—and sober.
    — Vogue, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of wise
Adjective
  • The suit maintains that the commission’s denial does not identify any adverse impact to a wetland function or value, nor any feasible and prudent alternatives to address the Commission’s reasons for denial, in violation of state law, Conn.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
  • But the Court requires only four Justices to grant a case, and Brett Kavanaugh, whom Roberts had hoped would back his strategy of prudent avoidance, wouldn’t go along.
    — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of prudent
Adjective
  • The speech Adam Vinatieri delivered at the Pro Football Hall of Fame upon his induction was touching, insightful, emotional, and comedy-act funny.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Stapleton cites a book by the former head of Google’s HR, Laszlo Bock, entitled Work Rules, as being particularly insightful about these dynamics.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of insightful

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Cite this Entry

“Sagacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sagacious. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sagacious

Nglish: Translation of sagacious for Spanish Speakers

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