What does incisive mean?
Word: Incisive
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Incisive means showing clear, direct thinking that goes straight to the main point.
Synonyms: sharp
How do you spell incisive?
Syllables: in - ci - sive
Tricky part: Two s sounds, two different letters. The first is spelt with a c and the second with an s, and pupils often use one letter for both.
Watch out for: insisive, incicive
Memory tip: Picture a sharp cut followed by a slice: c for cut comes before s for slice. Keep them in that order.
Incisive in a sentence
Example 1: Her incisive comments helped the team repair the plan in minutes.
Example 2: Mr Menon writes incisive reviews for the college magazine.
Example 3: The debate coach is known for an incisive mind and a gentle manner.
Fun Fact
Its Latin ancestor meant to cut into, so an incisive remark slices through the waffle. The teeth at the front of your mouth take their name from the same verb.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Fill in the missing letters to complete the word:
inc_s_ve
a) e, i
b) i, e
c) i, i
d) y, i
Show answer
c) i, i. The stressed syllable in the middle has the long i of side, and the close matches active.
Mingle-Mangle
The jumbled letters in the sentence hide a word. Choose it.
Priya's iievscin review of the novel earned her the highest mark in the class.
a) decisive
b) inclusive
c) incisive
d) intensive
Show answer
c) incisive. With no l, no t and no d to use, one option remains.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word incisive as used in the sentence:
The reporter's incisive questions got to the heart of the matter within minutes.
a) vague
b) acute
c) penetrating
d) piercing
Show answer
a) vague. Questions that wander around and never land anywhere are the opposite kind.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt wrongly. Choose its meaning:
1. succint 2. astute 3. perceptive 4. incisive
a) clever at judging people and situations
b) able to cut through to what matters
c) brief and clearly expressed
d) quick to notice and understand things
Show answer
c) brief and clearly expressed. Succinct needs one more c, just before the t.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which remark about a story would a teacher call incisive?
a) There are a lot of people in the story.
b) The story felt quite long to read.
c) I liked some parts and not others.
d) The hero fails because he never listens.
Show answer
d) The hero fails because he never listens.
2. An incisive thinker at a debate is most likely to do what?
a) repeat points made by earlier speakers
b) speak longest without any notes
c) spot the weak link in an argument
d) agree with every speaker in turn
Show answer
c) spot the weak link in an argument
