Cleareyed

Cleareyed is an adjective, usually hyphenated as clear-eyed, though cleareyed can appear as a variant in older texts. It describes someone who has a clear, unclouded perception or a realistic, practical outlook. The term can apply to people, analyses, or judgments that are grounded and free from naivety or deception.

Etymology and variants: The word combines clear with eyed, using the metaphor of clear vision to signal discernment. The hyphenated form clear-eyed is standard in modern usage; cleareyed as a closed compound appears primarily in older texts or as a stylistic variant. The figurative sense dates from early modern English and remains common in journalism, politics, and literary criticism.

Usage and nuance: Clear-eyed connotes steadiness, discernment, and the ability to see a situation as it is, rather than through wishful thinking. It can describe a person, an analysis, or a policy stance. It is not inherently positive or negative but often implies sober realism. Examples: “The government released a clear-eyed evaluation of the budget,” “She kept a clear-eyed view of the risks involved.”

Related terms and notes: Related adjectives include clear-sighted, pragmatic, and unblinkered. See also realism, skepticism, and down-to-earth. In contemporary writing, authors often prefer the hyphenated clear-eyed form to emphasize the compound trait.