as in obvious
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation
believing that poetry need not be as perspicuous as prose, he writes poems that are intentionally ambiguous
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of perspicuous
But where Hofstadter is playfully enigmatic and brashly brainy, Chalmers’s writing is perspicuous and teacherly — an approach that keeps it from collapsing into recalcitrant obscurity.
—
Washington Post, 11 Feb. 2022
Conditions in the state the planes left behind them were far less perspicuous.
—The Economist, 8 Feb. 2020
The president began his Monday by scrutinizing his national security briefing, filling its margins with perspicuous questions and observations.
—Eric Levitz, Daily Intelligencer, 10 July 2017
Unspoken but perspicuous is the wish to (at worst) score points off Democrats and (at best) free up a seat on the nation’s most important appeals court for a nominee from the Federalist Society weapons locker.
—Garrett Epps, The Atlantic, 12 May 2017
Washington Post, 11 Feb. 2022
Conditions in the state the planes left behind them were far less perspicuous.
—The Economist, 8 Feb. 2020
The president began his Monday by scrutinizing his national security briefing, filling its margins with perspicuous questions and observations.
—Eric Levitz, Daily Intelligencer, 10 July 2017
Unspoken but perspicuous is the wish to (at worst) score points off Democrats and (at best) free up a seat on the nation’s most important appeals court for a nominee from the Federalist Society weapons locker.
—Garrett Epps, The Atlantic, 12 May 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perspicuous
Adjective
-
Don’t force a quick fix, but don’t ignore what’s obvious.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Likewise the only evidence that Trump might not be crazy is his obvious determination to seem so.—
Fintan O’Toole,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The contrast between the two siblings was immediate and unmistakable.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Apr. 2026
-
With over 40 years of experience and a heritage rooted in the prestigious Valmont Clinic on the Swiss Riviera, the brand has conquered the world of skincare, combining advanced science, the purest natural ingredients from the Alps, and an unmistakable artistic sensibility.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
It’s been especially apparent this year because the draft is really good.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
-
As the argument continued, Alexander and his 62-year-old father, in turn, urinated on his neighbor’s yard in apparent retaliation for the dog’s actions, prosecutors say.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That became more evident in September, when Harry visited Charles amid the king's cancer diagnosis.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
As the town is engulfed by the haunt, there’s a recognition evident in Rhys’ reactions, as if the horrors Tom’s facing are simultaneously too ludicrous to accept and too familiar to reject.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But Kinahan’s capture may have a more straightforward explanation.—
Ed Caesar,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The appeal is pretty straightforward.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Only one Republican state has a relatively clear path to gaining seats from the decision in time for the midterms — Florida.—
Nicholas Riccardi,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Which oil executives in attendance were not immediately clear.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Culture and Tourism Minister Nuri Ersoy announced this remarkable discovery on social media, describing it as an exemplary work of art featuring a distinct style, according to Turkiye Today.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Matt Boldy might be one of the most underrated players in the NHL, but yeah, that was one very distinct kicking motion.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perspicuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perspicuous. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
