Definition of sanenext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sane distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of sane are judicious, prudent, sage, sapient, sensible, and wise. While all these words mean "having or showing sound judgment," sane stresses mental soundness, rationality, and levelheadedness.

remained sane even in times of crises

When might judicious be a better fit than sane?

In some situations, the words judicious and sane are roughly equivalent. However, judicious stresses a capacity for reaching wise decisions or just conclusions.

judicious parents using kindness and discipline in equal measure

When is prudent a more appropriate choice than sane?

While the synonyms prudent and sane are close in meaning, prudent suggests the exercise of restraint guided by sound practical wisdom and discretion.

a prudent decision to wait out the storm

In what contexts can sage take the place of sane?

While in some cases nearly identical to sane, sage suggests wide experience, great learning, and wisdom.

the sage advice of my father

When is it sensible to use sapient instead of sane?

Although the words sapient and sane have much in common, sapient suggests great sagacity and discernment.

the sapient musings of an old philosopher

When could sensible be used to replace sane?

The meanings of sensible and sane largely overlap; however, sensible applies to action guided and restrained by good sense and rationality.

a sensible woman who was not fooled by flattery

Where would wise be a reasonable alternative to sane?

The synonyms wise and sane are sometimes interchangeable, but wise suggests great understanding of people and of situations and unusual discernment and judgment in dealing with them.

wise beyond his tender years

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sane As is often the case, notable wagers arrived that make sane bettors scratch their heads. Doug Kezirian, New York Times, 12 June 2026 But sane Democrats are in short supply, on their way out, unlike the Platners of the party. Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 3 June 2026 That said, the adoption of a sane policy on freedom of expression, while laudable, is not a silver bullet. Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026 And, in a way, this coward is the only sane one. Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for sane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sane
Adjective
  • He was taken to a local hospital in stable condition.
    Jenna DeAngelis, CBS News, 22 June 2026
  • The injured girl's mother is believed to have jumped from a second-floor window to safety and is in stable condition, the PFD confirmed to CBS News.
    Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 21 June 2026
Adjective
  • According to Roberts, Treinen felt normal after the game.
    Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
  • The lower-than-normal system voltage from a weak battery, failing alternator, slipping belt or poor electrical connection can affect the electric power steering system.
    John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs And Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2026
Adjective
  • Even compared to 2023’s excellent Alive People, the mood is light, the pace is slow, and her reflections are lucid to the point of being haikuesque.
    Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 16 June 2026
  • There’s a lucid rebellion bubbling within the walls of Broadway’s Studio 54 theater, the kind that transcends space, time, and earthly norms.
    Gianluca Russo, Allure, 5 June 2026
Adjective
  • Forced Selling Creates Market Mispricing The market is not a rational machine.
    Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
  • If Iran’s rulers are so rational and nice, one wonders why their potential acquisition of a nuclear weapon would so concern the United States.
    Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026
Adjective
  • This is worth remembering amid perhaps reasonable excitement about the World Cup.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
  • Fortunately, this month New York’s Legislature passed the bipartisan Responsible Data Center Development Act placing a 1-year moratorium on data center development while reasonable safeguards are created.
    Liz Krueger, New York Daily News, 20 June 2026
Adjective
  • Occupants get a balanced blend of touchscreen tech and analog functionality, along with a formidable degree of tactile style and ergonomic insight.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 17 June 2026
  • While the majority of the options flow was in calls, instruments used to bet on a stock going up when they are bought, the flow became more balanced as the day went on.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 17 June 2026
Adjective
  • Prior research has linked secure attachment throughout childhood and adolescence to better mental health, healthier relationships and greater emotional resilience.
    Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 20 June 2026
  • Eating both broccoli and Brussels sprouts can be part of a healthy, balanced diet.
    Danielle Zickl, Health, 20 June 2026
Adjective
  • These monsters—its antitheses—constitute that part of our nature that urges us to be sensible and strong, and that inclines us to see the life drive as trivial, weak, sentimental and immoral.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 June 2026
  • Bold strategies like that don’t always work; the two-stop plan that most teams opted for was the safe, sensible option.
    Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 15 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sane. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.

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