SAGACIOUS Synonyms: 64 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

sagacious

adjective

sə-ˈgā-shəs

Definition of sagacious next

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 Morris Chestnut Logline: As the fate of the earth hangs perilously in the balance, Bandi a sagacious elder embarks on a crucial mission to locate Tep one of the few legitimate descendants of an ancient extraterrestrial power, tracing back to a small tribe in Africa. —

Zac Ntim, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2024 Foster a balanced approach: While data can provide valuable insights at scale, integrating human judgment and industry expertise ensures a sagacious, well-rounded, and likely more ethical strategic investment approach. —

Douglas B. Laney, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 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 Her character’s backstory is a compelling narrative that the franchise aims to explore over the series: Raised in Harlem with the guidance of a sagacious grandmother, Lally learned of the traditional magic that existed in her family bloodline despite their living in the nonmagical world. —

Shamira Ibrahim, Essence, 6 Apr. 2022 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 There are many other indications of showmanly skills in the sagacious production by Eagle. —

Jack D. Grant, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 July 2022 Leave it to the sagacious Linus Van Pelt to strip away the trappings of the Thanksgiving holiday tradition and find its essence. —

Ben Zimmer, WSJ, 25 Nov. 2021

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sagacious

Adjective

Leave it to a wise little girl to remind us that there are in fact, more important, things in winning—a loving family, for instance.

— Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 10 Feb. 2025
Sean also leaned on other gurus in wellness, like Deepak Chopra, Jay Shetty and even unexpected ones like Jay-Z. Additional support came from wise elders in his family, like his mom, in creating this interactive guidebook.

— Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 10 Feb. 2025