1
as in lucid
having full use of one's mind and control over one's actions
waited until she was clearheaded to make the decision
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sober
not having one's mind affected by alcohol
woke up clearheaded and alert the next morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 clearheaded
On his seventh solo album, the British singer-songwriter pairs a grab bag of styles—synth-pop balladry, deep house, a Rolling Stones cover—with clearheaded lyrical introspection.
—
Molly Mary O’Brien, Pitchfork, 14 Mar. 2026
Liu returned to skating in late 2024 after two and a half years, with the clearheaded intention to be a performance artist, not a medal-seeking desperado.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 22 Feb. 2026
But while isolated on the water in a return capsule, astronauts need to remain focused and clearheaded.
—Taylor Lonner, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025
Such detachment was meant to allow for accurate diagnoses and clearheaded decision-making.
—Rachel Pearson, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
In just 60 seconds, most people feel calmer, more clearheaded and more energized.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2025
The extremely clearheaded way Pistorius describes an experience that, thankfully, almost none of us will ever go through is what lends so much power to Ghost Boy’s narrative.
—Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025
Delta 8 has a lower psychotropic potency than delta-nine and produces more clearheaded effects.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 8 June 2022
All of them were unequivocal in their belief that government intervention is needed because people living on the street are often too strung out and traumatized to make clearheaded decisions for themselves.
—BostonGlobe.com, 17 Oct. 2021
Molly Mary O’Brien, Pitchfork, 14 Mar. 2026
Liu returned to skating in late 2024 after two and a half years, with the clearheaded intention to be a performance artist, not a medal-seeking desperado.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 22 Feb. 2026
But while isolated on the water in a return capsule, astronauts need to remain focused and clearheaded.
—Taylor Lonner, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025
Such detachment was meant to allow for accurate diagnoses and clearheaded decision-making.
—Rachel Pearson, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
In just 60 seconds, most people feel calmer, more clearheaded and more energized.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2025
The extremely clearheaded way Pistorius describes an experience that, thankfully, almost none of us will ever go through is what lends so much power to Ghost Boy’s narrative.
—Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025
Delta 8 has a lower psychotropic potency than delta-nine and produces more clearheaded effects.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 8 June 2022
All of them were unequivocal in their belief that government intervention is needed because people living on the street are often too strung out and traumatized to make clearheaded decisions for themselves.
—BostonGlobe.com, 17 Oct. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clearheaded
Adjective
-
Crabapple is an artist and author known for lucid leftie takes, and her book takes on the thorny history of a vibrant intellectual tradition.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Its elegant, rounded boxes for column and row numbers and lucid formula-building bar are wonders to behold.—
Edward Mendelson,
PC Magazine,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Best-case scenario, addicts are sent to rehab and emerge clean and sober.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The judge said his top priority was ensuring Delisle was in a position to remain sober.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In a time when science’s boundaries were less stable, Lamarck’s poetic theories had significant influence, and its traces can even be detected in contemporary epigenetics.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
When expectations are clear, support feels more stable and mutual respect grows naturally.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Calls to the ships’ operators outside normal working hours either weren’t answered or weren’t immediately returned.—
Julian Lee,
Fortune,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Sanoja has primarily played third base this season, with seven of his nine starts coming there, but his last two starts came in center field on Thursday (to give normal starter Jakob Marsee his first day off from the field) and left field on Friday.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
None of this has to be fully rational.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Does any of this make any sense in a rational world?—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
One of the few sane adults left in his administration must have reminded him that antagonizing Catholics is a terrible political move.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Mercury News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
One of the few sane adults left in his administration must have reminded him that antagonizing Catholics is a terrible political move.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
It’s also made with five foam layers that create a balanced feel, starting with a soft, quilted top layer that gives it an instantly cozy finish.—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
-
In reality, many of these foods are nutrient-packed and can support overall health when eaten as part of a balanced diet.—
Morgan Pearson,
Verywell Health,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clearheaded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clearheaded. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
