Adjective

(er)

showing clever resourcefulness in practical matters

artful, tricky or cunning

streetwise

*

knowledgeable

* {{quote-news

, year=2011 , date=November 10 , author=Jeremy Wilson , title=tEngland Under 21 5 Iceland Under 21 0: match report , work=Telegraph citation , page= , passage=The most persistent tormentor was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who scored a hat-trick in last month’s corresponding fixture in Iceland. His ability to run at defences is instantly striking, but it is his clever use of possession that has persuaded some shrewd judges that he is an even better prospect than Theo Walcott. }}

(archaic) Scolding, satirical, sharp.

* 1599 ,

LEONATO. By my troth, niece, thou wilt never get thee a husband, if thou be so shrewd of thy tongue.

Adjective

(en adjective)

Quickly proceeding to judgment and forceful in expression; decisive; forthright.

* {{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers), title=(A Cuckoo in the Nest)

, chapter=1 citation , passage=She was like a Beardsley Salome , he had said. And indeed she had the narrow eyes and the high cheekbone of that creature, and as nearly the sinuosity as is compatible with human symmetry. His wooing had been brief but incisive .}}

Intelligently analytical and concise.

Having the quality of incising, cutting, or penetrating, as with a sharp instrument; sharp; acute; sarcastic; biting.

* G. Eliot

An incisive , high voice.

* Mrs. Browning

And her incisive smile accrediting / That treason of false witness in my blush.

(anatomy) Of or relating to the incisors.