sagacious

adjective sa·ga·cious \sə-ˈgā-shəs, si-\

: having or showing an ability to understand difficult ideas and situations and to make good decisions

Full Definition of SAGACIOUS

obsolete : keen in sense perception

a : of keen and farsighted penetration and judgment : discerning <sagacious judge of character>

b : caused by or indicating acute discernment <sagacious purchase of stock>

— sa·ga·cious·ly adverb

— sa·ga·cious·ness noun

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Examples of SAGACIOUS

… the winner is praised for his sagacious grasp of the hopes and anxieties of the public, the loser is excoriated for the many and obvious blunders that derailed his candidacy … —Hendrik Hertzberg, New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2000
It has allowed him to pre-empt conservative political attacks, to appear sagacious despite his inexperience… —Alan Tonelson, Atlantic, June 1993
With commendably sagacious foresight, I sneaked spoils as well to the elders of key Judean cities whose good will I was cultivating for the future … —Joseph Heller, God Knows, 1984
It has been suggested that we go to sleep at night because it is then too dark to do anything else; but owls, who are a venerably sagacious folk, do not sleep in the night-time. —James Stephens, The Crock of Gold, 1912
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Origin of SAGACIOUS

Latin sagac-, sagax, from sagire to perceive keenly; akin to Latin sagus prophetic — more at seek

First Known Use: 1607

Related to SAGACIOUS

Synonyms: discerning, insightful, perceptive, prudent, wise, sage, sapient

Antonyms: unperceptive, unwise

Synonym Discussion of SAGACIOUS

shrewd, sagacious, perspicacious, astute mean acute in perception and sound in judgment. shrewd stresses practical, hardheaded cleverness and judgment <a shrewd judge of character>. sagacious suggests wisdom, penetration, and farsightedness <sagacious investors got in on the ground floor>. perspicacious implies unusual power to see through and understand what is puzzling or hidden <a perspicacious counselor saw through the child's facade>. astute suggests shrewdness, perspicacity, and diplomatic skill <an astute player of party politics>.