Synonym Chooser

How is the word sane distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of sane are judicious, prudent, sage, sapient, sensible, and wise. While all these words mean "having or showing sound judgment," sane stresses mental soundness, rationality, and levelheadedness.

remained sane even in times of crises

When might judicious be a better fit than sane?

In some situations, the words judicious and sane are roughly equivalent. However, judicious stresses a capacity for reaching wise decisions or just conclusions.

judicious parents using kindness and discipline in equal measure

When is prudent a more appropriate choice than sane?

While the synonyms prudent and sane are close in meaning, prudent suggests the exercise of restraint guided by sound practical wisdom and discretion.

a prudent decision to wait out the storm

In what contexts can sage take the place of sane?

While in some cases nearly identical to sane, sage suggests wide experience, great learning, and wisdom.

the sage advice of my father

When is it sensible to use sapient instead of sane?

Although the words sapient and sane have much in common, sapient suggests great sagacity and discernment.

the sapient musings of an old philosopher

When could sensible be used to replace sane?

The meanings of sensible and sane largely overlap; however, sensible applies to action guided and restrained by good sense and rationality.

a sensible woman who was not fooled by flattery

Where would wise be a reasonable alternative to sane?

The synonyms wise and sane are sometimes interchangeable, but wise suggests great understanding of people and of situations and unusual discernment and judgment in dealing with them.

wise beyond his tender years

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sane Elections have become so toxic and tribal that few sane people in the middle are willing to run for office, even for city councils and school boards that were once somewhat insulated from the crazy. Joanna Allhands, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2025 After five hours of deliberation over two days, the jury found Kemper to be legally sane and convicted him on all eight counts of first-degree murder. Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025 Although likely candidates are attempting to put themselves in different fiscal lanes, the reality is that the most fiscally sane candidate could be Obama’s chief of staff. Taylor Millard, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2025 And my way of trying to stay sane and fighting back was to stay busy…. Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 17 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sane
Adjective
  • When Spirit emerged from bankruptcy in March, its leaders were hoping to find more stable financial footing.
    Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Huff predicts that white and blue collar alike could be on the chopping block, with impacts spread across gig and stable professions and routine jobs like data entry and customer service among those facing the greatest risk.
    Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Magnesium is needed to transport potassium and calcium across cell membranes and maintain normal heart rhythms.
    Jennifer Lefton, Verywell Health, 16 Sep. 2025
  • The weather when the sailor went missing were close to normal, according to Sky News Australia's Senior Meteorologist Rob Sharpe.
    Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Floating somewhere between lucid dreams and nightmares, Desde el Coma feels like waking up gasping for air — a kaleidoscope of bruises, chaos, and resurrection.
    Natalia Cano, Billboard, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Joseph Mitchell was at once the most lucid and the most mysterious of the great mid-century New Yorker writers.
    Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Even investors who pride themselves on rational decisions know that fear, excitement or uncertainty can often enter the picture.
    Bruce Helmer, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Even in situations where logic seems to provide you a clear answer, what seems rational may not always feel right or make sense for you personally.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The most successful organizations will be those that leverage AI to eliminate mundane tasks, allowing employees to focus on high-value creative and strategic work within reasonable timeframes.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The reasonable monthlies, at $822, get you a bike room, in-building laundry, and a storage unit.
    Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Hydrolyzed proteins replenish lost amino acids that intensively nourish and maintain hair in a healthy, balanced state.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • On the other hand, balanced searching involves looking for both positive and negative traits for a more complete evaluation.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The final mix includes botanicals, minerals, and vitamins such as holy basil for stress response, curcumin to promote a healthy immune response, konjac root to address oil production, and probiotics to optimize the microbiome.
    Megan McIntyre, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • The Wizards have emphasized growth and long-term planning under a new front office regime, but keeping key players healthy has been a challenge.
    Grant Afseth, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This is a risk because Cliff, of course, is already betrothed to the appealingly sensible Brittany.
    Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Making allowances for sensible upgrades to the engine, the suspension, the brakes, and interior amenities can enhance practicality and enjoyment.
    Robert Ross, Robb Report, 19 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sane. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sane

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!