May we count your visit with Google Analytics? It uses cookies and sends visit data to Google. You can change this any time under Cookie choices. Privacy

 Browse the A to Z list

Sagacious

adj. thoughtful, capable formal

What it means

Showing wise and practical judgment.

Reach for it when praising judgment that combines experience, foresight, and practical wisdom

The sagacious elder asked the question that settled the dispute.

Words to choose between 9

By register, from playful at the top to literary at the bottom. Tap a word to see when it fits.
warm
professional
formal
literary

  • warm

    insightful

    Fits when deep understanding is visible in an observation

    Careful Insight can be brilliant without practical wisdom.

  • warm

    wise

    Fits when sound judgment and humane perspective are central

    Careful Wise is broader and can rest on moral insight rather than practical shrewdness.

  • professional

    astute

    Fits when sharp understanding of a situation matters

    Careful Astute can imply tactical self-interest.

  • professional

    discerning

    Fits when noticing fine differences leads to good choice

    Careful Discernment does not necessarily include foresight.

  • professional

    far-sighted

    Fits when long-term consequences are central

    Careful Foresight alone does not establish present practical wisdom.

  • professional

    shrewd

    Fits when practical advantage is recognized quickly

    Careful Shrewd can sound calculating or self-serving.

  • formal

    judicious

    Fits when careful selection and restraint deserve praise

    Careful Judicious describes a choice more naturally than a person.

  • formal

    prudent

    Fits when future risk shapes cautious judgment

    Careful Prudence is more risk-averse than sagacity.

  • literary

    perspicacious

    Fits when rare formal prose needs keen perception

    Careful Perspicacious is as uncommon as sagacious and less about judgment.

Opposites 3

  • foolish
  • shortsighted
  • unwise

Common phrases 3

  • sagacious advice

    Her sagacious advice protected both the old trees and the new path.

  • sagacious leader

    A sagacious leader, Petru saved the reserve for the uncertain winter.

  • sagacious decision

    The sagacious decision traded speed for a maintainable design.

Usage notes

Keep in mind

Sagacious is uncommon in present-day everyday English; wise or astute is usually clearer.

Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vininn126, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated