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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 Any prudent financial plan should effectively manage both debt and credit. Lynn Mayabb, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2025 Regardless of which technology is in question, the past rulings highlighted the importance of not only selecting prudent investments but reviewing and adjusting them over time. Chris Groshong, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025 But the need for coherent choices in an environment with clear benefits and dangers on both sides would be hard enough if the White House kept its prudent and traditional silence. Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 14 Sep. 2025 Some decisions are prudent, such as the Las Vegas Raiders to defeat the New England Patriots at a nice underdog price. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prudent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prudent
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
  • 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
  • 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
  • His recommendation directly contradicts the current medical consensus that judicious Tylenol use in pregnancy remains safe.
    Edith Bracho-Sanchez, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Bauer, an epidemiologist at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, and her team called for more judicious use of the drug until the science is settled.
    Amy Maxmen, ABC News, 23 Sep. 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
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
  • Outside the home, keep tree branches pruned, and as far away from the house as possible.
    Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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