sagacious

USAGE SUMMARY

"sagacious" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective that means wise, discerning, and judicious. Example sentence: My grandmother is known for her sagacious advice.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A figure is now available who is able, sagacious, immensely shrewd, charismatic, and dripping with genuine charm, not the confected kind.

The Guardian

If a government fails, the sagacious ayatollah will be seen as indispensable to the establishment of a new one.Mr Khamenei's professed agnosticism about Mr Rohani's diplomatic forays could be an insurance policy against their failure.

The Economist

Yet even in India, attitudes are changing.Manmohan Singh, its sagacious prime minister, has formed a powerful council of ministers, bureaucrats, scientists and businessmen to co-operate on the issue.

The Economist

Mark Twain, described by Mr Schrecker as "a close friend" of the ambassador, wrote a paean to him in Horace Greely's New York Tribune, calling Burlingame "quick, sagacious" and "one of the ablest diplomats America has produced".

The Economist

In each case, the investigator concerned was sagacious enough to link various seemingly unrelated facts together to come up with a valuable conclusion.

The Economist

Against the sagacious Mr Singh, Mr Advani is an economic illiterate.

The Economist

With his smiling, sad eyes, sagacious enthusiasm and constant references to Judaic texts, Solomon Galkin is rendered in broad strokes, a caricature of the Noble Jew.

The Economist

"Some of the comments, compared with the actual facts, were found not to be so sagacious as they were supposed to be".

The Economist

The Dalai Lama sometimes frustrates people who ask big questions in the hope of eliciting sagacious answers.

The Economist

Mr Assad, a sagacious fellow, is keeping his options open.

The Economist

He later portrayed a sagacious rancher in the inspirational golf drama Seven Days in Utopia (2011), a shooting-range owner in the action movie Jack Reacher (2012), and a judge accused of vehicular homicide in The Judge (2014).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sagacious" when you want to emphasize not just knowledge, but also the wisdom and good judgment that comes with experience.

Common error

Avoid using "sagacious" in overly casual or informal settings; it can sound pretentious. Opt for simpler words like "wise" or "smart" in everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sagacious" is to serve as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe someone or something possessing keen discernment, sound judgment and farsightedness. Ludwig AI identifies its correct usage as confirmed by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Academia

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sagacious" is a formal adjective used to describe someone with keen discernment and sound judgment. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, identifying it as grammatically sound and suitable for diverse contexts, most notably in news media and encyclopedic entries. While synonyms like "wise" and "astute" exist, "sagacious" carries a nuanced emphasis on experience-based wisdom. When aiming to convey respect for someone's insightful understanding, "sagacious" stands as a strong and precise choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wise

A general term indicating the possession of knowledge and good judgment.

astute

Implies a keen ability to assess situations and people, often in a practical sense.

shrewd

Suggests cleverness and practicality, often in business or politics.

perceptive

Highlights the ability to notice and understand subtle details.

insightful

Emphasizes the capacity to gain a deep understanding of a situation or person.

discerning

Indicates the ability to distinguish between things with careful judgment.

prudent

Highlights caution and good judgment in practical matters.

judicious

Suggests making decisions with careful consideration and fairness.

sapient

Implies profound wisdom and philosophical insight.

clairvoyant

Indicates exceptional insight, almost as if perceiving beyond normal senses.

FAQs

How to use "sagacious" in a sentence?

"Sagacious" is used to describe someone who possesses keen discernment and sound judgment. For example, "The "sagacious leader" made a decision that benefited the entire community."

What can I say instead of "sagacious"?

You can use alternatives like "wise", "astute", or "shrewd" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "sagacious" or "sapient"?

Both "sagacious" and "sapient" imply wisdom, but "sagacious" emphasizes practical judgment, while "sapient" suggests a more profound, philosophical wisdom.

What's the difference between "sagacious" and "intelligent"?

"Intelligent" refers to the capacity for learning and understanding, while "sagacious" implies wisdom gained through experience and careful consideration. Someone can be intelligent without being "sagacious", but a truly "sagacious" person is often also intelligent.