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Definitions

astute

[uh-stoot, uh-styoot] / əˈstut, əˈstyut /
ADJECTIVE
perceptive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adroit canny crafty discerning insightful intelligent keen shrewd
WEAK
brainy bright calculating clever foxy knowing not born yesterday on the ball perspicacious quick on the uptake sagacious savvy sharp sharp as a tack sly
Antonyms
STRONGEST
foolish idiotic inept naive stupid
WEAK
asinine ignorant imbecile obtuse shallow thick unintelligent

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Hollub was regarded as a talented petroleum engineer but she was less astute as a financial manager.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

To Grisham’s credit, she will probably go down in history as the smartest, most politically astute press secretary of either Trump administration.

From Salon • Feb. 27, 2026

He was an astute businessman and dealt with club finances.

From BBC • Jan. 20, 2026

That’s not logical or financially astute or adult behavior.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 19, 2026

This seemed like a reasonably astute observation to me when I was eight, but it turns out to be incorrect on a few levels.

From "Will Grayson, Will Grayson" by John Green and David Levithan