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Synonym Chooser

How is the word prudent distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of prudent are judicious, sage, sane, sapient, sensible, and wise. While all these words mean "having or showing sound judgment," prudent suggests the exercise of restraint guided by sound practical wisdom and discretion.

a prudent decision to wait out the storm

Where would judicious be a reasonable alternative to prudent?

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

judicious parents using kindness and discipline in equal measure

In what contexts can sage take the place of prudent?

The synonyms sage and prudent are sometimes interchangeable, but sage suggests wide experience, great learning, and wisdom.

the sage advice of my father

When would sane be a good substitute for prudent?

The words sane and prudent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sane stresses mental soundness, rationality, and levelheadedness.

remained sane even in times of crises

When can sapient be used instead of prudent?

While in some cases nearly identical to prudent, sapient suggests great sagacity and discernment.

the sapient musings of an old philosopher

When could sensible be used to replace prudent?

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

a sensible woman who was not fooled by flattery

When is it sensible to use wise instead of prudent?

While the synonyms wise and prudent are close in meaning, 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 prudent The trade Given these risks, hedging is prudent for investors with significant tech exposure, particularly those concerned about short-term volatility. Michael Khouw, CNBC, 23 June 2025 Karen Read’s local attorney, David Yannetti, has to be even more prudent in his comments about this recent travesty of justice in Dedham. Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 22 June 2025 Although bonded by blood, their approach to the drug game is different: Meech is rambunctious, while Terry is more prudent. Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 13 June 2025 Heat’s Udonis Haslem says amid Kevin Durant speculation: ‘The situation in Miami will work’ ASK IRA: Is a Heat waiting game with Herro, Jovic extensions the prudent approach? Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 14 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for prudent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prudent
Adjective
  • Teams tend to be especially cautious with injuries this time of year.
    Garrett Chorpenning, New York Times, 9 July 2025
  • They are known to be cautious and spend most of their time on high rocky slopes mostly inaccessible to humans, making sightings rare.
    Lauren Liebhaber July 8, Miami Herald, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • In hindsight that decision may not have been the wisest.
    Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 5 July 2025
  • Demonstrating a talent for working in fluent french peppered with a british accent, the actor delivers one of his most indelible acting turns as the sly, wry, and wise business mogul-turned- butler who finds new purpose in life working on the other side of the fence.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 3 July 2025
Adjective
  • This demographic is intelligent, tech-savvy and often more financially empowered than younger consumers.
    Lara Devgan, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Maresca would be sensible to look at the way Brighton utilise their wingers with intelligent out-to-in runs from the touchline, exploiting spaces in behind when the likes of Joao Pedro pull opposition defensive lines out of shape.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Highland Ventures is ready to transform 525 N. Tryon into a more desirable office space after purchasing the building in May for $24 million.
    Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2025
  • Lack of charging infrastructure makes used electric vehicles less desirable than gas cars to some car buyers.
    Charles Singh, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Adjective
  • Like many former holdouts, Kevin felt that his judicious use of A.I. was more defensible than his peers’ use of it.
    Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
  • The way to do it is with judicious use of strong contrast colours, and that’s exactly what Nike has done here, with those pinks, blues and reds underneath the armpits and down the side of the shorts.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • When a mysterious space vessel crash-lands on Earth, a young woman (Sydney Chandler) and a ragtag group of tactical soldiers make a fateful discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet’s greatest threat.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 8 July 2025
  • Most recently, a gunman in tactical gear opened fire on a Border Patrol facility in Texas.
    Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • The company is discreet, but their influence is far-reaching.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 2 July 2025
  • Long favored by Athenian elites, the island has drawn Greece’s old-money families and discreet international jet-setters who’ve been coming for generations.
    Monica Mendal, Vogue, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • The operator lands their FPV by the side of a track or on a rooftop and waits for possible targets, alerted either by a spotter drone or using the drone’s own camera.
    David Hambling, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • The tourist destination of Cabo San Lucas is now in the possible path of Flossie.
    Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Prudent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prudent. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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