judicious

adjective

ju·​di·​cious jü-ˈdi-shəs 

: having, exercising, or characterized by sound judgment

judicious investments

a judicious decision

judiciously adverb

judiciousness noun

Synonyms of judicious

• intelligent
• prudent
• cautious
• discreet

Choose the Right Synonym for judicious

wise, sage, sapient, judicious, prudent, sensible, sane mean having or showing sound judgment.

wise suggests great understanding of people and of situations and unusual discernment and judgment in dealing with them.

wise beyond his tender years

sage suggests wide experience, great learning, and wisdom.

the sage advice of my father

sapient suggests great sagacity and discernment.

the sapient musings of an old philosopher

judicious stresses a capacity for reaching wise decisions or just conclusions.

judicious parents using kindness and discipline in equal measure

prudent suggests the exercise of restraint guided by sound practical wisdom and discretion.

a prudent decision to wait out the storm

sensible applies to action guided and restrained by good sense and rationality.

a sensible woman who was not fooled by flattery

sane stresses mental soundness, rationality, and levelheadedness.

remained sane even in times of crises

Examples of judicious in a Sentence

judicious use of our resources

Judicious planning now can prevent problems later.

Recent Examples on the Web

Famed stage and screen director Mike Nichols made judicious cuts, Idle said, though occasionally changed his mind. —Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026

The white-hot Texas economy may have recently cooled, but one of North America’s largest banks still sees significant upside and is advising business leaders to take a more judicious approach in the current economic climate. —Trevor Bach, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026

Homebuyers will just need to be more judicious in their approach. —Matt Richardson, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026

Since then, the city has amended its encampment cleanup protocols, including the introduction of tent checks using thermal imaging technology and a more judicious use of heavy machinery. —Caroline Silva, AJC.com, 7 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French judicieux, from Latin jūdicium "legal proceedings, court, judgment, faculty of judging, discernment" + Middle French -eux, going back to Old French -eus, earlier -os, -ous, going back to Latin -ōsus -ous — more at judicial

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for judicious

• adventitious
• cementitious
• expeditious
• inauspicious
• injudicious
• meretricious
• repetitious
• superstitious
• surreptitious
• unambitious
• unpropitious
• unsuspicious

Kids Definition

judicious

adjective

ju·​di·​cious ju̇-ˈdish-əs 

: having, exercising, or characterized by sound judgment

judiciously adverb