Incisive Meaning
/ɪnˈsaɪ.sɪv/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjIntelligently analytical and concise. (of a person or mental process)
adjIntelligently analytical and concise. (of a person or mental process), Accurate and sharply focused. (of an account)
Sentence Examples
Mary's incisive questioning made it impossible for Tom to get away with his lies.
Thank you for the incisive analysis.
Your incisive criticism will deflate a lot of egos.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The journalist asked an ____ question that quickly revealed the politician's hidden plan.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The journalist's ____ questions made the politician feel quite nervous during the live interview.
Word Origin & History
Late Middle English (in the sense “cutting, penetrating”), borrowed from Medieval Latin incīsīvus, from incīdō (“to cut in, cut through”) + -īvus (“-ive”, adjectival suffix). Compare Middle French incisif.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"She was like a Beardsley Salome, he had said. And indeed she had the narrow eyes and the high cheekbone of that creature, and as nearly the sinuosity as is compatible with human symmetry. His wooing had been brief but incisive."
— 1921, Ben Travers, chapter 1, in A Cuckoo in the Nest, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 1925, →OCLC:
"An incisive, high voice."
— 1862–1863, Mary Ann Evans, Romola:
"And her incisive smile accrediting / That treason of false witness in my blush."
— 1856, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, “Second Book”, in Aurora Leigh, London: Chapman and Hall, […], published 1857, →OCLC:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The journalist asked an ____ question that quickly revealed the politician's hidden plan.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The journalist's ____ questions made the politician feel quite nervous during the live interview.