prudently
adverb
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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."
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.
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 on the Web
Cramer said Fed Chair Jerome Powell is prudent, which is a desirable characteristic for those in his position.
—Julie Coleman, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
Any prudent financial plan should effectively manage both debt and credit.
—Lynn Mayabb, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2025
Regardless of which technology is in question, the past rulings highlighted the importance of not only selecting prudent investments but reviewing and adjusting them over time.
—Chris Groshong, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
But the need for coherent choices in an environment with clear benefits and dangers on both sides would be hard enough if the White House kept its prudent and traditional silence.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prudent
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Julie Coleman, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
Any prudent financial plan should effectively manage both debt and credit.
—Lynn Mayabb, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2025
Regardless of which technology is in question, the past rulings highlighted the importance of not only selecting prudent investments but reviewing and adjusting them over time.
—Chris Groshong, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
But the need for coherent choices in an environment with clear benefits and dangers on both sides would be hard enough if the White House kept its prudent and traditional silence.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prudent
Cite this Entry
“Prudent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prudent. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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Legal Definition
prudent
adjective
pru·dent
ˈprüd-ᵊnt 
: characterized by, arising from, or showing prudence
prudently
adverb
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