✅ Fringe refers to the outer edge of something (We found signs of alien life on the fringe of mapped space).

✅ Periphery refers to the edge or outskirts (He lived on the periphery of civilization).

✅ Both of these terms refer to the edges of a place or area.

✅ Both words also suggest the idea of permeable edges, where a place can be both inside and outside of a space or area at the same time (At the fringes of the city, you can see the natural world taking over).

✅ Astute describes a perceptive way of thinking (That was a very astute statement).

✅ Discerning describes someone who shows very good judgment and understanding (a discerning eye for quality).

✅ These terms can both describe someone who has a good understanding and perceptiveness about the world around them (We market toward the discerning consumer; She was astute and had good business sense).

✅ Astute emphasizes shrewdness, whereas discerning emphasizes judgment.

✅ Fearless describes someone who is without fear, especially someone who is bold and intrepid (a fearless adventurer).

✅ Dauntless describes someone bold and intrepid (a dauntless investigator).

✅ Both of these words describe someone who acts without fear or who doesn’t let fear factor into their decisions (She made fearless decisions; They were dauntless in the pursuit of justice).