incisive
adjective
in·ci·sive in-ˈsī-siv 
: impressively direct and decisive (as in manner or presentation)
an incisive analysis
an incisive unsentimental writer
incisively adverb
incisiveness noun
Did you know?
Incisive has meant "impressively direct and decisive" since around 1834 and derives from the Latin verb caedere, meaning "to cut." Its linguistic kin include many cuttings from the fruitful stem caedere, such as scissors, chisel, incise ("to cut into or engrave"), excise ("to remove by cutting"), incisor ("a front tooth typically adapted for cutting"), incision ("cut" or "gash"), precise ("minutely exact"), and concise ("brief"). Incisive also carries a couple of lesser-known literal meanings relating to cutting: "having a cutting edge or piercing point" (as in "incisive fangs"), and, in dentistry, "of, relating to, or situated near the incisors."
Example Sentences
She's known for her incisive mind and quick wit.
Recent Examples on the Web And having seasoned pros on hand like Corduner, Strong and Julian Glover as Lydia’s predecessor in Berlin makes even the smaller roles incisive. 
David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Sep. 2022 Exploring Paris’ working-class suburbs with a fresh set of eyes while reframing the immigrant experience under a more incisive lens, a dynamic generation is blazing new trails in French cinema. Ben Croll, Variety, 31 Aug. 2022 In witty and incisive collages ranging from single sheets of paper to room-size environments, L.A.’s Alexis Smith, 73, emerged into national prominence in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2022 As a Justice, Alito has become an incisive and aggressive questioner. Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2022 At one point last year — but no longer — the Education Department did reference specific, incisive anti-racist writings in a request for comment on history and civic education proposals. Joe Davidson, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Aug. 2022 In her professional debut, against women several years older, facing the third-place club in the world’s top women’s soccer league, the Frisco, Texas, product made incisive, smooth plays. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2022 Yes, some of them are boring (the majority of mine are about work), but many are entertaining, incisive and occasionally problem-solving. David G. Allan, CNN, 4 Aug. 2022 That deep understanding of consumers is one of the reasons Dillon has been lauded for her incisive, visionary marketing leadership and her ability to create meaningful change across the organization. Amy Shoenthal, Forbes, 3 Aug. 2022 See More
David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Sep. 2022 Exploring Paris’ working-class suburbs with a fresh set of eyes while reframing the immigrant experience under a more incisive lens, a dynamic generation is blazing new trails in French cinema. Ben Croll, Variety, 31 Aug. 2022 In witty and incisive collages ranging from single sheets of paper to room-size environments, L.A.’s Alexis Smith, 73, emerged into national prominence in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2022 As a Justice, Alito has become an incisive and aggressive questioner. Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2022 At one point last year — but no longer — the Education Department did reference specific, incisive anti-racist writings in a request for comment on history and civic education proposals. Joe Davidson, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Aug. 2022 In her professional debut, against women several years older, facing the third-place club in the world’s top women’s soccer league, the Frisco, Texas, product made incisive, smooth plays. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2022 Yes, some of them are boring (the majority of mine are about work), but many are entertaining, incisive and occasionally problem-solving. David G. Allan, CNN, 4 Aug. 2022 That deep understanding of consumers is one of the reasons Dillon has been lauded for her incisive, visionary marketing leadership and her ability to create meaningful change across the organization. Amy Shoenthal, Forbes, 3 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
circa 1834, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
incisive
adjective
in·ci·sive in-ˈsī-siv
: incisal
also : of, relating to, or situated near the incisors
incisive
adjective
as in acidic
very clear and direct She provided an incisive analysis that changed my entire opinion on the issue. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- acidic
- acid
- ironic
- trenchant
- concise
- poignant
- acerbic
- ironical
- sardonic
- satiric
- caustic
- sarcastic
- scathing
- wry
- pungent
- barbed
- corrosive
- mordant
- snarky
- acidulous
- satirical
- acrid
- sharp
- cynical
- biting
- blunt
- spiky
- keen
- cutting
- brisk
- tart
- succinct
- scalding
- dry
- cross
- pithy
- flippant
- sharp-tongued
- smart-alecky
- vitriolic
- acerb
- sour
- abrupt
- facetious
- smart-mouthed
- acrimonious
- smart-aleck
- brusque
- tongue-in-cheek
- terse
- crisp
- stringent
- sourish
- spikey
- tartish
- harsh
- curt
- gruff
- resentful
- bitter
- severe
- backhanded
- snippy
- insincere
- brusk
- rough
- snippety