astute

[ uh-stoot, uh-styoot ]

adjective

1. keenly perceptive or discerning; sagacious:

   an astute analysis.

   Synonyms: perceptive, quick, smart

2. shrewd; cunning:

   an astute merchandising program;

   an astute manipulation of facts.

   Synonyms: sly, wily, crafty, artful

astute

/ əˈstjuːt /

adjective

1. having insight or acumen; perceptive; shrewd

Derived Forms

• asˈtuteness, noun
• asˈtutely, adverb

Other Words From

• as·tute·ly adverb
• as·tute·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of astute¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin astūtus “shrewd, sly, cunning,” equivalent to astū- (stem of astus ) “cleverness” + -tus adjective suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of astute¹

C17: from Latin astūtus cunning, from astus (n) cleverness

Example Sentences

He has expended a huge amount of energy in this endeavour of finding common ground through 12 years during which there has been other momentous social change, and at times has shown himself to be an astute political operator.

From BBC

Theater critic Gordon Rogoff once made the astute observation that Williams was always better at writing scenes than constructing seamless dramas and that his true gift may have been as “a pointillist painter of shimmering portraits.”

From Los Angeles Times

Cousins makes many astute points about Hitchcock’s process, such as his use of a ramp in “Notorious” to allow Claude Rains to appear the same height as costar Ingrid Bergman in a scene, or how in “Saboteur,” viewers can’t hear the wind rustling the hair of a character dangling from the Statue of Liberty — but one can hear the character’s breathing.

From Salon

In prison, Sinwar became fluent in Hebrew and proved an astute observer of Israeli politics.

From Los Angeles Times

The other side of his personality was witnessed by those of who saw Tuchel at Chelsea where he could be charming, extremely humorous and incredibly astute, as well as acting with great dignity and tact when forced into being the front man for a club in meltdown when owner Roman Abramovich’s assets were frozen in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

From BBC

Related Words

• adroit
• canny
• crafty
• discerning
• insightful
• intelligent
• keen
• shrewd