Sagacity
What it means
Wise and practical judgment.
Reach for it when naming practical wisdom, perceptive judgment, and awareness of consequences
Her sagacity helped the village prepare before the drought.
Words to choose between 9
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal |
|
| literary |
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everyday
Fits when choosing well is the plain idea
Careful Judgment is neutral unless its quality is stated.
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warm
Fits when deep understanding is the valued result
Careful Insight can remain theoretical.
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warm
Fits when sound judgment shaped by experience is central
Careful Wisdom also includes moral and spiritual judgment.
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professional
astuteness
Fits when quick sharp understanding is the strength
Careful Astuteness can sound tactical or self-interested.
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professional
Fits when distinguishing subtle differences matters
Careful Discernment does not ensure a practical decision.
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professional
Fits when anticipating long-term consequences is central
Careful Foresight is one component of sagacity.
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professional
shrewdness
Fits when practical advantage is read accurately
Careful Shrewdness can imply calculation.
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formal
Fits when cautious foresight about risk matters
Careful Prudence is narrower and more restrained.
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literary
perspicacity
Fits when rare formal prose needs keen understanding
Careful Perspicacity emphasizes perception over wise action.
Opposites 3
- folly
- naivety
- shortsightedness
Common phrases 3
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political sagacity
Her political sagacity lay in making room for a durable compromise.
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show sagacity
The trustees showed sagacity by funding maintenance before expansion.
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remarkable sagacity
His remarkable sagacity came from listening to the field workers.
Usage notes
Keep in mind
Sagacity is formal and uncommon; wisdom is clearer unless the sentence specifically praises keen practical judgment.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated