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
Banning any emulsifiers that might be found to cause serious harm would be prudent, but then foods that contain them would have to be reformulated—a costly, time-consuming endeavor.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 25 June 2025
The trade Given these risks, hedging is prudent for investors with significant tech exposure, particularly those concerned about short-term volatility.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 23 June 2025
Karen Read’s local attorney, David Yannetti, has to be even more prudent in his comments about this recent travesty of justice in Dedham.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 22 June 2025
Although bonded by blood, their approach to the drug game is different: Meech is rambunctious, while Terry is more prudent.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for prudent
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Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 25 June 2025
The trade Given these risks, hedging is prudent for investors with significant tech exposure, particularly those concerned about short-term volatility.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 23 June 2025
Karen Read’s local attorney, David Yannetti, has to be even more prudent in his comments about this recent travesty of justice in Dedham.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 22 June 2025
Although bonded by blood, their approach to the drug game is different: Meech is rambunctious, while Terry is more prudent.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 13 June 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 4 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Legal Definition
prudent
adjective
pru·dent
ˈprüd-ᵊnt 
: characterized by, arising from, or showing prudence
prudently
adverb
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