advisable

adjective

ad·​vis·​able əd-ˈvī-zə-bəl How to pronounce advisable (audio)
: fit to be advised or done : prudent
advisability noun
advisableness noun
advisably adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for advisable

expedient, politic, advisable mean dictated by practical or prudent motives.

expedient usually implies what is immediately advantageous without regard for ethics or consistent principles.

a politically expedient decision

politic stresses judiciousness and tactical value but usually implies some lack of candor or sincerity.

a politic show of interest

advisable applies to what is practical, prudent, or advantageous but lacks the derogatory implication of expedient and politic.

sometimes it's advisable to say nothing

Examples of advisable in a Sentence

My doctor said it was advisable for me to lose weight. it's never advisable to ride double on a bicycle
Recent Examples on the Web Larger private-sector companies with redundant positions generally can more easily absorb departures, so a long heads-up may not be necessary — or advisable. Karla L. Miller, Washington Post, 16 Nov. 2023 Consulting with a healthcare provider for personalized recommendations is also advisable. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 21 Oct. 2023 But just because an objective is understandable does not mean that pursuing it is the optimal or even advisable path, and Israel’s apparent strategy is flawed in both ends and means. Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2023 Not that this movie – or many of those within this genre, despite their track record helping mint teen heartthrobs – are worthy of its title, which, it should be noted, is generally not an advisable way to find a match, whatever romance novels and reality TV shows might tell you. Brian Lowry, CNN, 15 Sep. 2023 Women using Myriad’s genetic testing receive guidance on whether early screening or extra screening is advisable. Laurie Saloman, Verywell Health, 17 Aug. 2023 To be clear, this tactic is far from advisable compared to modern-day options. Rachel Feltman, Popular Science, 16 Aug. 2023 Consulting with your veterinarian is advisable to ensure that there are no potential interactions or adverse effects. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 31 July 2023 Essentially, you’ll be forced to use Outlook for Windows at some point, so taking the time to get used to it before you no longer have a choice would be advisable. Ken Colburn, The Arizona Republic, 31 July 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'advisable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

advise + -able

First Known Use

1638, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of advisable was in 1638

Dictionary Entries Near advisable

Cite this Entry

“Advisable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/advisable. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

advisable

adjective
ad·​vis·​able əd-ˈvī-zə-bəl How to pronounce advisable (audio)
: reasonable or proper under the circumstances : wise, prudent
advisability noun
advisably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on advisable

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