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
All of that being said, Los Angeles is a notoriously prudent organization, so the Chargers would surely tread carefully in any potential trade discussions for Jennings.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Liability insurance is not just prudent, but mandatory in many states, costing even small Home Owners Associations up to $1,000 a year in premiums.
—Carrie Lukas, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
And while the case has been politicized in the media and by government officials, Raybin didn't think that would be a prudent strategy in the courtroom.
—Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
The Royals were prudent in acquiring veterans who can help guide the younger players.
—Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prudent
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Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Liability insurance is not just prudent, but mandatory in many states, costing even small Home Owners Associations up to $1,000 a year in premiums.
—Carrie Lukas, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
And while the case has been politicized in the media and by government officials, Raybin didn't think that would be a prudent strategy in the courtroom.
—Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
The Royals were prudent in acquiring veterans who can help guide the younger players.
—Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 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 10 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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