ASTUTE Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'astute' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of astute are perspicacious , sagacious , and shrewd . While all these words mean "acute in perception and sound in judgment," astute suggests shrewdness, perspicacity, and diplomatic skill. // an astute player of party politics

Q: When could 'perspicacious' be used to replace 'astute'?

While in some cases nearly identical to astute , 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 might 'sagacious' be a better fit than 'astute'?

In some situations, the words sagacious and astute are roughly equivalent. However, sagacious suggests wisdom, penetration, and farsightedness. // sagacious investors got in on the ground floor

Q: When would 'shrewd' be a good substitute for 'astute'?

Although the words shrewd and astute have much in common, shrewd stresses practical, hardheaded cleverness and judgment. // a shrewd judge of character

astute

adjective

ə-ˈstüt

Definition of astute

as in smart

having or showing a practical cleverness or judgment a police detective known to be an astute judge of character

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How does the adjective astute differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of astute are perspicacious, sagacious, and shrewd. While all these words mean "acute in perception and sound in judgment," astute suggests shrewdness, perspicacity, and diplomatic skill.

an astute player of party politics

When could perspicacious be used to replace astute?

While in some cases nearly identical to astute, perspicacious implies unusual power to see through and understand what is puzzling or hidden.

a perspicacious counselor saw through the child's facade

When might sagacious be a better fit than astute?

In some situations, the words sagacious and astute are roughly equivalent. However, sagacious suggests wisdom, penetration, and farsightedness.

sagacious investors got in on the ground floor

When would shrewd be a good substitute for astute?

Although the words shrewd and astute have much in common, 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 astute Bowman, Babcock and Chaulk can aid each player’s progress with some astute deployment. — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026 Rowland, as politically astute as any recording artist living in the United Kingdom, went on to form new bands, release solo music and drop albums as Dexys. — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 10 Sep. 2026 This tension is often subtext enough, and it’s accentuated by cinematographer Adric Watson’s tight and dirty frames, which confine Maya and Arti through astute visual composition, as the reality of their cushy lives is gradually illuminated. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026 The audience is in on the mockery of this dim-witted man, whose astute wife can see right through him. — Stephanie Vander Wel, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for astute

Recent Examples of Synonyms for astute

Adjective

Here are the best, smartest and most revolutionary titles the genre created.

— Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 19 Oct. 2026
Apple Turnovers Grandma always appreciated a smart shortcut, and these apple turnovers have that—frozen puff pastry makes the crust on these turnovers quick and easy.

— Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of smart

Adjective

Atlanta general manager Dan Padover built the Dream into a title contender through shrewd trades, a little bit of luck and patience from the team's ownership group.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
While Ultra is riding a wave, its early success has come in part from its shrewd as-a-service business model.

— Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of shrewd

Adjective

But this October has shown there are savvy contenders in small markets, too.

— Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
But as Huettl had the social media savvy to keep posting her hairstyles for the internet to see, what started out as a small bonding moment soon became a viral sensation.

— Audrey Noble, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of savvy

Adjective

Maybe there’s an equilibrium that must be restored on this show, relationship-wise.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
Anthropic updates its policies to bar users being cruel to Claude, inflaming a debate about whether the company’s concern for ‘model welfare’ is wise.

— Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of wise

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“Astute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astute. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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