Synonyms of wisdom

wisdom

noun

ˈwiz-dəm 

1

as in insight

the ability to understand inner qualities or relationships

with age and experience comes wisdom—hopefully

neither book learning nor simple intelligence should be confused with wisdom

Synonyms & Similar Words

• insight
• sensitivity
• sagacity
• intellect
• discernment
• perception
• perceptivity
• perceptiveness
• understanding
• sapience
• intelligence
• brilliance
• sagaciousness
• wit
• sense
• perspicacity
• acumen
• astuteness
• sageness
• power
• comprehension
• judgement
• appreciation
• acuity
• penetration
• percipience
• judgment
• prudence
• brightness
• sanity
• clear-sightedness
• judiciousness
• grasp
• foresight
• logic
• smartness
• gray matter
• mentality
• cleverness
• rationality
• keenness
• canniness
• foresightedness
• apprehension
• reason
• discrimination
• braininess
• brain(s)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• density
• dulness
• dullness
• obtuseness
• foolishness
• folly
• idiocy
• stupidity
• silliness
• imbecility
• mindlessness
• irrationality
• unreasonableness
• illogic
• unsoundness
• madness
• insanity
• craziness
• witlessness
• lunacy
• simplemindedness
• simpleness
• brainlessness
• senselessness
• zaniness
• preposterousness

2

as in science

a body of facts learned by study or experience

the orientation meetings will provide the company's old hands with an opportunity to pass on their wisdom to the new employees

Synonyms & Similar Words

• science
• knowledge
• expertise
• lore
• information
• data
• evidence
• facts
• awareness
• news
• intelligence
• literacy
• learning
• know
• acquaintance
• scholarship
• skinny
• erudition
• lowdown
• dope
• familiarity
• know-how

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignorance
• innocence
• inexperience
• unfamiliarity
• nescience

3

as in prudence

the ability to make intelligent decisions especially in everyday matters

had overstayed her welcome and lacked the wisdom to know it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prudence
• sense
• wit
• intelligence
• discretion
• insight
• brains
• policy
• common sense
• gumption
• sensibleness
• horse sense
• levelheadedness
• logicality
• judgment
• judgement
• nous
• caution
• discreetness
• logicalness
• foresight
• practicality
• sagacity
• rationality
• foresightedness
• discernment
• farsightedness
• gray matter
• street smarts
• acumen
• shrewdness
• perspicacity
• astuteness
• discrimination
• sapience
• circumspection
• care
• penetration
• forethoughtfulness
• forehandedness
• precaution
• clearheadedness
• keenness
• rationalness
• premeditation

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indiscretion
• imprudence
• foolishness
• stupidity
• shortsightedness
• idiocy
• carelessness
• senselessness
• heedlessness
• unreasonableness
• brainlessness
• half-wittedness

4

as in desirability

suitability for bringing about a desired result under the circumstances

wondered about the wisdom of hiring such an inexperienced girl to care for the children

Synonyms & Similar Words

• desirability
• judiciousness
• expediency
• prudence
• feasibility
• advisability
• advantageousness
• expedience
• desirableness
• usefulness
• practicality
• advisableness
• profitability
• timeliness
• beneficialness
• opportuneness
• seasonableness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unwisdom
• imprudence
• inadvisability
• inexpediency
• impracticality
• infeasibility
• injudiciousness
• inexpedience
• untimeliness
• inopportuneness
• unseasonableness

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun wisdom contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of wisdom are common sense, judgment, and sense. While all these words mean "ability to reach intelligent conclusions," wisdom implies sense and judgment far above average.

a leader of rare wisdom

In what contexts can common sense take the place of wisdom?

The words common sense and wisdom are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, common sense suggests an average degree of such ability without sophistication or special knowledge.

common sense tells me it's wrong

When is it sensible to use judgment instead of wisdom?

In some situations, the words judgment and wisdom are roughly equivalent. However, judgment implies sense tempered and refined by experience, training, and maturity.

they relied on her judgment for guidance

When might sense be a better fit than wisdom?

Although the words sense and wisdom have much in common, sense implies a reliable ability to judge and decide with soundness, prudence, and intelligence.

a choice showing good sense

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of wisdom

Fathers lead through action, speak with purpose, and impart wisdom honed by experience. —Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025

Henry Winkler is sharing wisdom he's gained from five decades of parenting. —Emily Trainham, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2025

The prevailing wisdom has long been that the safest part of the plane is the back. —Rachel Treisman, NPR, 13 June 2025

Many family members and friends have offered nuggets of wisdom to my son during his graduation. —Nicole Russell, USA Today, 6 June 2025

Phrases Containing wisdom

• conventional wisdom