wise

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adjective

Definition of WISE

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, prudent, sagacious, sage, sapient

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

Near Antonyms dense, dull, obtuse, purblind, woodenheaded; brainless, dumb, feebleminded, foolish, idiotic (also idiotical), imbecile (or imbecilic), knuckleheaded, moronic, silly, simple, slow, slow-witted, stupid, thoughtless, unintelligent, witless; undiscriminating

Antonyms 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 (in), forewarned, informed, prepared, ready, warned; observant, observing, sharp, sharp-eyed; alert, attentive, open-eyed, vigilant, watchful; plugged-in, with-it

Phrases in the know

Near Antonyms oblivious, unaware, unconscious, uninformed, unwitting; heedless, unmindful; 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>

Synonyms advisable, desirable, judicious, politic, prudent, tactical, wise

Related Words advantageous, beneficial, profitable; useful, utilitarian; feasible, possible, practicable, practical; opportune, seasonable, timely; opportunistic, self-seeking

Near Antonyms impractical, profitless, unfeasible, unprofitable; inopportune, unseasonable, untimely

Antonyms impolitic, imprudent, inadvisable, inexpedient, injudicious, unwise

4

making light of something usually regarded as serious or sacred <you wouldn't be so wise if you were the one suffering from hemorrhoids>

Synonyms cute, facetious, flip, pert, smart, smart-aleck, smart-alecky, smart-ass, smart-assed, smarty-pants, wise, wiseass

Related Words flighty, frivolous; cheeky, cocky, fresh, impertinent, impish, impudent, mischievous, playful, roguish, sassy, saucy, waggish; disrespectful, rude; breezy, casual, glib, inappropriate, thoughtless

Near Antonyms grave, serious, sober, solemn, somber (or sombre)

Antonyms earnest, sincere

5

displaying or marked by rude boldness <she is competent, but she's always getting wise with the boss>

Synonyms arch, audacious, bold, bold-faced, brash, brassbound, brassy, brazen, brazen-faced, cheeky, cocksure, cocky, fresh, impertinent, impudent, insolent, sassy, saucy, wise

Related Words assertive, forward, obtrusive; audacious, defiant, disrespectful; shameless, unabashed, unblushing; bluff, blunt, curt; cute, facetious, flip, flippant, pert, smart, smart-aleck, smart-alecky; lippy, mouthy

Near Antonyms demure, humble, modest; courteous, genteel, mannerly, polite, proper; deferential, respectful; abashed, ashamed, blushing, embarrassed, shamefaced; gentle, mild; inconspicuous, unobtrusive

Antonyms meek, mousy (or mousey), retiring, shy, timid