You use incisive to describe a person, their thoughts, or their speech when you approve of their ability to think and express their ideas clearly, briefly, and forcefully.
Synonyms: penetrating, sharp, keen, acute More Synonyms of incisive
incisive in British English
(ɪnˈsaɪsɪv)
adjective
1.
keen, penetrating, or acute
2.
biting or sarcastic; mordant
an incisive remark
3.
having a sharp cutting edge
incisive teeth
Derived forms
incisively (inˈcisively)
adverb
incisiveness (inˈcisiveness)
noun
incisive in American English
(ɪnˈsaɪsɪv)
adjective
1.
cutting into
2.
sharp; keen; penetrating; acute
an incisive mind
3.
of the incisors
SYNONYMY NOTE: incisive is applied to speech or writing that seems to penetrate directly to the heart ofthe matter, resulting in a clear and unambiguous statement [an incisive criticism]; trenchant implies clean-cut expression that results in sharply defined categories, differences,etc. [a trenchant analysis]; cutting implies incisive qualities but also connotes such harshness or sarcasm as to hurtthe feelings [his cutting allusion to her inefficiency]; biting implies a caustic or stinging quality that makes a deep impression on the mind [his biting satire]
Derived forms
incisively (inˈcisively)
adverb
incisiveness (inˈcisiveness)
noun
Word origin
ML incisivus < L incisus: see incise
Examples of 'incisive' in a sentence
incisive
They were too quick, too incisive.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He is respected around the world for his brilliant mind, incisive advocacy and direct approach.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It was a lead that lasted just four minutes though, as an incisive move ended with Nolito slicing the visiting defence open.
The Sun (2016)
The most incisive move of the game then produced the deserved winner.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The home side produced one truly incisive move and scored from it.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
His goal came from an incisive move.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
He regularly prompted attacks with incisive forward passes.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Baggies will need to watch out for his incisive passes.
The Sun (2006)
His goal was superb but some of his incisive passing was fantastic.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The home side were calm of mind and incisive of distribution.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
For his colleagues his incisive mind and sense of fun made these years very fulfilling.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
His incisive mind was well suited to instilling a sense of purpose into an organisation that was very bureaucratic.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Their normal crisp and incisive passing here was replaced by loose wayward kicks that often went straight out of play.
The Sun (2012)
He was really sharp and incisive.
The Sun (2013)
He could be eloquent and lighthearted but also incisive and sarcastic with those who failed to live up to his high medical standards.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It is no longer remotely funny, incisive or sharp.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He was incisive, sharp and wise.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He is unpredictable, but with the freedom to roam he can drive forward from midfield and deliver incisive passes.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The passing was more incisive, the pace picked up and the balance of the team no longer looked lopsided.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
We will miss that quizzical, inquiring, genial but incisive mind.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The 23-year-old is the heartbeat of the team, impressing with his range of movement and incisive passing.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
But a third goal was inevitable and it came in the 64th minute, the end product of a typically incisive move.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
We all greatly valued his incisive mind, his calm and patient approach to problems, and his enthusiasm in pursuit of academic excellence.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
EXCELLENT, incisive and crisp passing, particularly in the first half.
The Sun (2009)
Atlético were a threat on the counter-attack and they proved it with a swift and incisive move eight minutes before half-time to take the lead.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
And the goal was the sort of incisive move which Spain had been unable to produce against the Portuguese but this was far from boring stuff.
The Sun (2012)
In other languages
incisive
British English: incisive ADJECTIVE
You use incisive to describe a person when you approve of their ability to think and express their ideas clearly, briefly, and forcefully.
He is a very shrewd operator with an incisive mind.
American English: incisive
Brazilian Portuguese: incisivo
Chinese: 敏锐的
European Spanish: incisivo
French: incisif
German: scharfsinnig
Italian: incisivo
Japanese: 鋭い
Korean: 예리한
European Portuguese: incisivo
Latin American Spanish: incisivo
(adjective)
Definition
direct and forceful
a shrewd operator with an incisive mind
Synonyms
penetrating
a penetrating mind
sharp
Using a sharp knife, cut away the pith and peel from both fruits.
keen
a person of keen intellect
acute
His relaxed exterior hides an extremely acute mind.
piercing
He fixes you with a piercing stare.
trenchant
He was shattered by the trenchant criticism.
perspicacious (formal)
a man of perspicacious judgment
Opposites
dull
,
vague
,
dense
,
superficial
,
woolly
Additional synonyms
in the sense of acute
Definition
penetrating in perception or insight
His relaxed exterior hides an extremely acute mind.