Definition of prudent
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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
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But the most prudent decisions are not usually or often made by people who are melting down from anger.
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While the City Council decision eliminates the city's budget deficit for this year, the mayor said Parma Heights needs to be fiscally prudent going forward.
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When a vacancy occurs, the prudent coach will usually pounce.
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States have also framed their cuts to benefits as prudent and a way to rebuild reserves that were tapped out in 2009.
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But a prudent driver approaching an intersection where an oncoming car has a left turn signal on will slow down a bit and be prepared to stop—just in case the other car decides to turn illegally.
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The prudent course of action for fishermen is to spend time getting the boat ready, sorting through the tackle boxes, tying some flies and spooling fishing reels with fresh line.
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But Botswana has benefited from prudent economic policies, multiparty politics and fair elections.
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The fund's prudent investment policy is only a tradition, like the dividend formula.
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
NEW! Time Traveler
First Known Use: 14th century
in the meaning defined above
See Words from the same yearprudent Synonyms
Synonyms
discerning, insightful, perceptive, sagacious, sage, sapient, wise;
Antonyms
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;
Related Words
acute, penetrating, percipient, perspicacious;
discriminating, discriminative;
brainy, bright, brilliant, clever, intelligent, keen, nimble, quick, quick-witted, smart;
cerebral, erudite, knowledgeable, learned, literate, scholarly;
astute, clearheaded, piercing, sharp, shrewd;
Synonym Discussion of prudent
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.
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- wise beyond his tender years
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- the sage advice of my father
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- the sapient musings of an old philosopher
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- judicious parents using kindness and discipline in equal measure
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- a prudent decision to wait out the storm
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- a sensible woman who was not fooled by flattery
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- remained sane even in times of crises
PRUDENT Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of prudent for English Language Learners
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: having or showing careful good judgment
PRUDENT Defined for Kids
Definition of prudent for Students
: wise and careful in action or judgment
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prudently
adverbLaw Dictionary
legal Definition of prudent
: characterized by, arising from, or showing prudence
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prudently
adverbLearn More about prudent
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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
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