ASTUTE Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

astute

adjective

É™-ËˆstÃ¼t

Definition of astute next

as in smart

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 And perhaps the most astute question that could be asked of Cronenworth. —

Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026 What unites these three shows, which are otherwise quite different, is psychologically astute character development. —

Judy Berman, Time, 6 Mar. 2026 The albumâ€™s volley of astute re-creations of this idea sometimes gets in the way of Stylesâ€™s attempt to relay sadness or dour self-reflection. —

Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026 Later, McCartney goes to the heart of the matter with an astute assessment of a value bred into him in Liverpool, a working-class aversion to being the boss. —

Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for astute

Recent Examples of Synonyms for astute

Adjective

The town is now actively monitoring water use, using smart meters in some cases and on-the-ground enforcement in others.

— Jamie Leary, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
And logging the vast majority of those runs at a slow pace is a smarter, safer way to achieve that.

— Jenny McCoy, SELF, 20 Mar. 2026