incisive
in·ci·sive (in sī′siv)
adjective
- cutting into
- sharp; keen; penetrating; acute an incisive mind
- of the incisors
Etymology: ML incisivus < L incisus: see incise
incisive
modif.
Sarcastic
penetrating, cutting, biting, sharp, severe; see also sarcastic.Intelligent
trenchant, penetrating, perceptive, clever, bright, profound; see also intelligent 1.
incisive is applied to speech or writing that seems to penetrate directly to the heart of the matter, resulting in a clear and unambiguous statement an incisive criticism; trenchant implies clean-cut expression that results in sharply defined categories, differences, etc. a trenchant analysis; cutting implies incisive qualities but also connotes such harshness or sarcasm as to hurt the feelings his cutting allusion to her inefficiency; biting implies a caustic or stinging quality that makes a deep impression on the mind his biting satire
Used with adjective complement
- look: Both sides had their chances but the visitors looked more incisive in attack.
Modifies a noun
- Media: The rights of termination are in addition to all other rights or remedies of Incisive Media provided in these Terms or by law.
- passing: All three goals were attributable to the magnificent & incisive passing that is such in evidence.
- critique: Along the way, he also offers an incisive critique of contemporary trash culture in the UK.
- wit: Cherry, whose chops had strengthened during weeks of practice, revealed his quiet, incisive wit in counterpoint to Ornette.
- commentary: Jonathan Bennett offers an incisive commentary in chapter XII of his stimulating Locke, Berkeley, Hume, Oxford, 1971.
- reporting: Frankly written editorials, topical reviews, book reviews and incisive reporting of international conferences are a regular feature of the journal.
Modifying Another Word
- very: These are not quite as powerful as they should be, but one or two are very incisive.
- so: Matthew Hoggard, so incisive on Friday, went for 32 in two overs.
- particularly: One of these is a particularly incisive chapter on The Body in Kafka's writing.
- intellectually: He is one of the most intellectually incisive executives in corporate America.
- typically: Read Gooseberries, Chekhov's typically incisive short story exploring human happiness, suffering and society.
- always: His forte is delivering intelligent, thought provoking material that pulls no punches and is always incisive, relevant and up to date.
Preposition: through
- ball: He slid a delightfully incisive through ball to the overlapping Byrne on the left.
Browse dictionary entries near incisive
- incision
- incised
- incise
- incipit
- incipient
- incinerator
- incinerate
- incidentals
- incidentally
- incidental music
- incisor
- incite
- incited
- incitement
- incivility
- incl
- inclemency
- inclement
- inclinable
- inclination
