Synonym Chooser

How is the word judicious distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of judicious are prudent, sage, sane, sapient, sensible, and wise. While all these words mean "having or showing sound judgment," judicious stresses a capacity for reaching wise decisions or just conclusions.

judicious parents using kindness and discipline in equal measure

When would prudent be a good substitute for judicious?

While the synonyms prudent and judicious 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

Where would sage be a reasonable alternative to judicious?

The words sage and judicious can be used in similar contexts, but sage suggests wide experience, great learning, and wisdom.

the sage advice of my father

When could sane be used to replace judicious?

While in some cases nearly identical to judicious, sane stresses mental soundness, rationality, and levelheadedness.

remained sane even in times of crises

When is sapient a more appropriate choice than judicious?

In some situations, the words sapient and judicious are roughly equivalent. However, sapient suggests great sagacity and discernment.

the sapient musings of an old philosopher

When might sensible be a better fit than judicious?

The words sensible and judicious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sensible applies to action guided and restrained by good sense and rationality.

a sensible woman who was not fooled by flattery

In what contexts can wise take the place of judicious?

Although the words wise and judicious have much in common, 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 judicious The monitor said Mock was judicious in her oversight of union funds. Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 19 Sep. 2025 As this is a smaller toy and one with judicious amounts of diecast in the joints, this should make for a very good rendition of this classic mecha from Metal Gear Solid. Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025 But be judicious about application and follow the label instructions because these products kill beneficial bugs, too. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2025 Rodriguez’s success is due in part to his judicious usage. Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for judicious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for judicious
Adjective
  • The company’s mission is to eliminate design errors and accelerate innovation through intelligent automation.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
  • His modernization was both intelligent and beautiful, rooted in Coco’s own starting point — menswear codes and techniques.
    Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • At this point, a prudent President would have stayed silent.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
  • And for a program run by a nation-state or a billionaire that doesn't want to have a rocket blow up, this is prudent.
    Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Homebuilders are getting more cautious, says economist Wolf.
    Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Markets had expected the more fiscally cautious Shinjiro Koizumi to win.
    Danny Bakst, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The initial idea was Woltemade and Yoane Wissa would dovetail minutes wise, with the former Brentford striker expected to start more often in the short term to allow the German a period to acclimatise.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • And speaking of which, Christmas is right around the corner, and we parents are already stretched thin budget-wise.
    Melissa Willets, Parents, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • One was watching YouTube on his phone, while another canoodled with his girlfriend in a discreet corner.
    Simon Willis, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
  • The movement’s megaphone is Discord—once a platform for gamers but now a go-to hub for discreet, fast-moving organizing.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Covetable, must-have pieces from Jonathan Anderson’s Dior, Michael Rider’s Celine, and Chanel under Matthieu Blazy’s direction felt fresh and desirable.
    Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
  • And, said Karr, teaching in Indiana’s current political atmosphere makes the job even less desirable.
    Tory Basile, IndyStar, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Away to Palace on Saturday, he was deployed on the left of a front three and given a free role to drift inside, a significant and rare tactical tweak from Slot which did not work in his side’s 2-1 loss.
    Andy Jones, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • So the tactical unit waited outside Leigh’s apartment at McAlpine Ridge and set the trap.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Judicious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/judicious. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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