Definition of prudent
prudently
adverbExplore Merriam-Webster
prudent was our Word of the Day on 05/19/2015. Hear the podcast!
Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP
Examples of prudent in a Sentence
An endless war is not always the most moral or the most prudent course of action. —Richard A. Posner, New Republic, 2 Sept. 2002
We missed the Mass for St. Rose of Lima, who, though prudent, had failed to be martyred and was therefore only second-string. —Darryl Pinckney, High Cotton, 1992
Prudent burners take several precautions. Burning one of two bordering fields, they wet the edge of one or the other, usually the one being burned, to prevent the flames from jumping. —Alec Wilkinson, Big Sugar, 1989
Since the inexplicable power of a magnetized needle to “find” the north smacked of black magic … . For many decades the prudent sea captain consulted his compass secretly. —Daniel J. Boorstin, The Discoverers, 1983
He always listened to her prudent advice.
You made a prudent choice.
Recent Examples of prudent from the Web
-
The prudent move for Vista would have been to consult with the ACLU and gain its seal of approval before imposing new rules on Ellen Montanari, the protest leader who applied for and received permits to assemble -- and annoy.
-
The Saints clearly want to be prudent with Armstead as his presence could be the difference between a good and great offensive line.
-
However Olson thinks that there’s substantial confidence that Amazon will continue to be prudent.
-
Exxon Mobil’s chief executive, Darren W. Woods, wrote recently that remaining in the agreement would be prudent, part of a nearly united corporate front.
-
But lacking better options, many still saw the world through the lens of the prudent hypothetical, viewing everything as possible and nothing as certain.
-
For decades, Virginia Democrats have taken care to distinguish themselves from their more liberal national party and present themselves as prudent centrists.
-
8:16 am May. 5, 2015 Taking a gun to church may seem prudent —
-
Using your credit card to give yourself an interest-free loan is prudent for a number of reasons, but one of the best has nothing to do with the billing cycle.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prudent'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
It is Prudent To Read Up on This Word History
Prudent arrived in Middle English around the 14th century and traces back, by way of Middle French, to the Latin verb providēre, meaning "to see ahead, foresee, provide (for). "Providēre" combines pro-, meaning "before, and vidēre, meaning "to see, and it may look familiar to you; it is also the source of our "provide," "provident," "provision," and "improvise." "Vidēre" also has many English offspring, including "evident," "supervise," "video," and "vision."
Origin and Etymology of prudent
Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin prudent-, prudens, contraction of provident-, providens — more at provident
First Known Use: 14th century
Synonym Discussion of prudent
PRUDENT Defined for English Language Learners
prudent
playDefinition of prudent for English Language Learners
-
: having or showing careful good judgment
PRUDENT Defined for Kids
prudent
playDefinition of prudent for Students
: wise and careful in action or judgment
prudently
adverbLaw Dictionary
prudent
playLegal Definition of prudent
: characterized by, arising from, or showing prudence
prudently
adverbLearn More about prudent
-
See words that rhyme with prudent Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for prudent Spanish Central: Translation of prudent Nglish: Translation of prudent for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of prudent for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up prudent? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!