incisive

adjective

in·​ci·​sive in-ˈsī-siv 

: impressively direct and decisive (as in manner or presentation)

an incisive analysis

an incisive unsentimental writer

incisively adverb

incisiveness noun

Did you know?

Incisive has meant "impressively direct and decisive" since around 1834 and derives from the Latin verb caedere, meaning "to cut." Its linguistic kin include many cuttings from the fruitful stem caedere, such as scissors, chisel, incise ("to cut into or engrave"), excise ("to remove by cutting"), incisor ("a front tooth typically adapted for cutting"), incision ("cut" or "gash"), precise ("minutely exact"), and concise ("brief"). Incisive also carries a couple of lesser-known literal meanings relating to cutting: "having a cutting edge or piercing point" (as in "incisive fangs"), and, in dentistry, "of, relating to, or situated near the incisors."

Examples of incisive in a Sentence

She's known for her incisive mind and quick wit.

Recent Examples on the Web

Derek Hough, another former pro on the series who now sits on its judging panel alongside Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli, may have won three times as many golds as Burke, but Burke has displayed a uniquely incisive eye for gameplay and technique on her podcast. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 9 Dec. 2024

From my view leading a company that provides automation solutions for the food industry, the missing link is a clear connection between the use of data and the ways to make incisive business decisions. —Massimo Bizzi, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

With biting humor and incisive prose, Zaher presents a dizzying portrait of a woman on the edge. —Annabel Gutterman, TIME, 6 Dec. 2024

Brighton’s early breakthrough began with an incisive passing move involving all three players. —Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1834, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

incisive

adjective

in·​ci·​sive in-ˈsī-siv 

: impressively clear and direct

an incisive argument

incisively adverb

incisiveness noun

Medical Definition

incisive

adjective

in·​ci·​sive in-ˈsī-siv 

: incisal

also : of, relating to, or situated near the incisors