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

Over the weekend, the ‘Cuse legend returned to his old stomping grounds to deliver this year’s commencement speech and share some words of wisdom as students prepare to embark on the next chapter in their lives. —Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 12 May 2025

Smart ended her speech reflecting on Moore’s legacy and passing on her words of wisdom. —Lauren Coates, Variety, 12 May 2025

However, an additional layer of wisdom has significantly enriched my perspective: Stoicism. —Davide Sartini, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

The wisdom distilled in those lines, Brook personally handed over to a younger generation. —Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2025

Phrases Containing wisdom

• conventional wisdom