Entry Word: wise

Function: adjective

Meaning: 1 having or showing deep understanding and intelligent application of knowledge <a respected and wise old judge famous for her sensible rulings>

Synonyms discerning, insightful, perceptive, sagacious, sage, sapient

Related Words acute, perspicacious; experienced; discriminating, discriminative; brainy, brilliant, bright, clever, intelligent, keen, nimble, quick, quick-witted, smart; cerebral, erudite, knowledgeable, learned, literate, scholarly; astute, sharp, shrewd; contemplative, reflective, thoughtful

Near Antonyms dense, dull, obtuse; brainless, dumb, feebleminded, foolish, idiotic, imbecilic, moronic, silly, simple, slow, stupid, thoughtless, unintelligent, witless; undiscriminating

Antonyms undiscerning, unperceptive, unwise

2 having inside information <they fooled everyone else, but I'd heard them talking and was wise to their true intentions>

Synonyms hip, knowing

Related Words alerted, aware, clued, forewarned, informed, prepared, ready, warned; observant, observing, sharp, sharp-eyed; alert, attentive, open-eyed, vigilant, watchful

Phrases in the know

Near Antonyms oblivious, unaware, unconscious, uninformed, unperceiving, unseeing, unwitting; heedless, unmindful, unobservant, unobserving; unprepared, unready, unwary

Antonyms unknowing

3 suitable for bringing about a desired result under the circumstances <selling the stock just before it plunged in value was a wise move on your part> — see expedient