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of keen penetration or discernment; sagacious:
an astute -n-lysis.
clever; cunning; ingenious; shrewd:
an astute merchandising program; an astute manipulation of facts.
contemporary examples

one astutely muses about cognitive dissonance among the many conservative republicans within the 47%.
reader reactions to randian romney justin green september 17, 2012

he also apologized to daniel clowes via sky writing because, as lena dunham astutely noted, that’s what crazy people do.
how likable is alec baldwin after his ‘new york magazine’ confessional? amy zimmerman february 25, 2014

one laddish website is astutely touting the news as a “happy hour fact to amaze your drinking buddies with.”
the new unsafe s-x tracy quan july 27, 2009

the nypd detective, on reviewing her rage-filled emails, astutely diagnoses her as “borderline.”
malice without cause: james lasdun’s memoir of being stalked emma garman february 9, 2013

historical examples

availing himself of his legal experience, he fought the case determinedly and astutely.
king robert the bruce a. f. murison

“paul irving washes his face every day of his own accord,” said anne astutely.
anne of avonlea lucy maud montgomery

she astutely drew back from the ground upon which she had entered.
the city of delight elizabeth miller

“it was the ghost of your first wife,” -sserted the old housekeeper, astutely.
daisy brooks laura jean libbey

“she doesn’t need to have,” said mrs. wistar promptly and astutely.
selina george madden martin

“he would not say any thing to you to-day if you were late,” says bobby, astutely.
nancy rhoda broughton

adjective
having insight or ac-men; perceptive; shrewd
adj.

1610s, from latin astutus “crafty, wary, shrewd; sagacious, expert,” from astus “cunning, cleverness, adroitness,” of uncertain origin, perhaps from greek asty “town,” a word borrowed into latin and with an overtone of “city sophistication” (cf. asteism). related: astutely; astuteness.