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On a scale from naive to cynical, what would be in the middle?

English Language & Usage Asked on August 1, 2021

Someone who is naive trusts others without question or examining their claims. Someone who is cynical never trusts anything another person says, even if there’s no evidence that they are being anything other than honest.

Is there a word to describe someone who trusts the trustworthy, and distrusts the untrustworthy?

"Street smart" is the only word/phrase I can think of that might fit, but I’m hoping there’s something better and less colloquial.


Inspired by this post: On a scale from Optimist to Pessimist, what would be exactly in the middle?

3 Answers

This term works best:

  1. Discernmet

Definition:

the ability to judge people and things well
-Cambridge Dictionary

Example:

The man was of discernment because he trusted the trustworthy and distrusted the untrustworthy.

And the rest are backups:

  1. Perspicacious

Definition:

of acute mental vision or discernment
-Merriam Webster

Example:

The perspicacious woman saw right through Bob's lie

  1. Sagacious

Definition:

of keen and farsighted penetration and judgment
-Merriam Webster

Example:

The man was very sagacious in that he could immediately determine the trustworthiness of a client.

Answered by Nai45 on August 1, 2021

In a word, sensible - having, containing, or indicative of good sense or reason.

Sensible people can make for spirited debate

Or, perhaps, level-headed - behaving in a calm and sensible way, even in a difficult situation.

In those situations, you'll have an awkward road ahead of you, but try to talk with your parents in a level-headed manner about their concerns

Answered by Dan on August 1, 2021

Such a person could be called no-nonsense.

practical and serious, and only interested in doing what is necessary or achieving what is intended, without silly ideas or methods: a no-nonsense manner/leader

[Cambridge]

Answered by user405662 on August 1, 2021

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