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.

J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)

Example sentences

prudence It is clear that he failed for lack of prudence.
discernment I'm Muslim and I have the gift of discernment.
perspicacity I trust in his perspicacity.
gumption He had the gumption to take my car without asking.

Popularity over time

Word	1850 → 2019	Trend
sagacity		steady
prudence		steady
discernment		rising
astuteness		steady
perspicacity		falling
gumption		rising

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

3 letters: wit¹
5 letters: sense¹, depth¹
6 letters: wisdom², acumen³
7 letters: insight²
8 letters: judgment², prudence², subtlety³, gumption², sapience, sageness
9 letters: judgement², acuteness³
10 letters: discretion³, shrewdness², astuteness³, sageliness
11 letters: penetration⁴, discernment³
12 letters: intelligence⁴, perspicacity
13 letters: sagaciousness, judiciousness

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (wisdom² = 2 syllables).

In other languages

Français: sagacité
Español: sagacidad
Deutsch: Weisheit
Català: sagacitat