Synonyms for acumen
əˈkyu mən, ˈæk yə-acu·men

WiktionaryRate these synonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. acumennoun

   Synonyms:
   penetration, intelligence, wit, keenness, foxiness, acuteness, sharpness, acuity, canniness, shrewdness

2. acumennoun

   quickness of perception or discernment; penetration of mind; the faculty of nice discrimination

   Synonyms:
   acuteness, canniness, shrewdness, keenness, penetration, acuity, sharpness, foxiness, wit, intelligence

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:2.3 / 3 votes

1. acumen

   Sharpness, acuteness, and insight, however keen, and penetration, however deep, fall short of the meaning of acumen, which implies also ability to use these qualities to advantage. There are persons of keen insight and great penetration to whom these powers are practically useless. Acumen is sharpness to some purpose, and belongs to a mind that is comprehensive as well as keen. Cleverness is a practical aptitude for study or learning. Insight and discernment are applied oftenest to the judgment of character; penetration and perspicacity to other subjects of knowledge. Sagacity is an uncultured skill in using quick perceptions for a desired end, generally in practical affairs; acumen may increase with study, and applies to the most erudite matters. Shrewdness is keenness or sagacity, often with a somewhat evil bias, as ready to take advantage of duller intellects. Perspicacity is the power to see clearly through that which is difficult or involved. We speak of the acuteness of an observer or a reasoner, the insight and discernment of a student, a clergyman, or a merchant, the sagacity of a hound, the keenness of a debater, the shrewdness of a usurer, the penetration, perspicacity, and acumen of a philosopher.

   Synonyms:
   acuteness, cleverness, discernment, insight, keenness, penetration, perspicacity, sagacity, sharpness, shrewdness

   Antonyms:
   bluntness, dulness, obtuseness, stupidity

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:3.0 / 1 vote

1. acumen

   Synonyms:
   point, penetrativeness, sharpness, discernment, talent, sagacity

   Antonyms:
   bluntness, obtuseness, stupidity, dulness, indiscernment, hebetude

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. acumennoun

   a tapering point

   Synonyms:
   insightfulness

2. insightfulness, acumennoun

   shrewdness shown by keen insight

   Synonyms:
   insightfulness

Matched Categories

1. • Plant Process
   • Shrewdness

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. acumennoun

   Synonyms:
   acuteness, shrewdness, sagacity, astuteness, sharpness, ingenuity, perspicacity, discernment, penetration, mother-wit, quick parts

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:1.0 / 1 vote

1. acumennoun

   Synonyms:
   astuteness, shrewdness, discernment, sharpness

   Antonyms:
   dullness, stupidity, short-sightedness

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "acumen":

   perspicacity, sagacity, insight, acuity, wisdom, finesse, sharpness, flair, clear-sightedness

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How to use acumen in a sentence?

1. Theodore Johnson:

   If you know that man who likes Trump's machismo and supposed business acumen, ask him : Do you know anyone who's died from Covid-19 ? If he's in an urban area, he's probably going to answer yes, ask him : Do you know anyone who's lost their job because of Covid-19 ? He's probably going to answer yes. What you do is contrast the perception of Trump with the reality of his governance and say that the best thing you can do for your life is to put new leadership in place.

2. Kenneth Gross:

   He's making money off the campaign, presumably, as profit for these companies that are servicing the campaign, whether it's a vineyard, you know, selling wine to the campaign, or whether it's hotels, or selling space at Mar-a-Lago, or the airline, now he may promote that as part of his business acumen: ‘Look, I'm a candidate plus I'm making money.’ But that can come back to haunt, as well; I mean, you know, people may say, ‘Wait a minute, it looks like too much self-dealing here.’.

3. Bart Chilton:

   Secretary Clinton will be well served by his financial and strategic acumen, i know he's deeply committed to the Secretary, and to her public policy agenda.

4. Monica Phromsavanh:

   I was ready to create something worthy of the business acumen I had developed over the years, and that matched the potential I knew I had, i wanted to reach a greater audience than I could through a traditional retail setting.

5. Ashima:

   I will rather keep quiet than degrading mental acumen by engaging in discussion with mindless creatures!