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
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
Nella’s struggle to form a sturdier, more clearheaded Black identity for herself is at the center of this unique thriller that has echoes of both Jordan Peele and, in the end, George Orwell.
—Washington Post, 3 June 2021
As protests over police brutality rocked the nation last summer, Ms. Wiley gained attention on MSNBC for her clearheaded explanations of why some activists wanted to defund the police.
—New York Times, 19 May 2021
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
Nella’s struggle to form a sturdier, more clearheaded Black identity for herself is at the center of this unique thriller that has echoes of both Jordan Peele and, in the end, George Orwell.
—Washington Post, 3 June 2021
As protests over police brutality rocked the nation last summer, Ms. Wiley gained attention on MSNBC for her clearheaded explanations of why some activists wanted to defund the police.
—New York Times, 19 May 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clearheaded
Adjective
-
Their film casts a lucid, uncompromising, yet deeply necessary light on the spiral of violence.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Perhaps not lucid dreams, but elucidating ones.—
Shaad D’Souza,
Pitchfork,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The centre room requires a sober mind.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
17 Feb. 2026
-
In recent years, LaBeouf has professed to be sober.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Together, these elements allow the battery to remain stable, efficient, and electrically responsive even in harsh, winter-like environments.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Feb. 2026
-
To make your own homemade cold foam taste more like a frozen creamer, use heavy cream for the base; this helps create a richer, thicker, and more stable texture.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
At normal pool, anglers will find them at depths of 20-25 feet.—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
-
What the files do seem to confirm, though, is the conspiracy theorist’s view of an elite stratosphere, where normal rules don’t apply, everyone knows each other, and ideological differences are subsumed to self-interested motives.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Perardi tried to stay rational.—
Matthew Bremner,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2026
-
This disconnect between individual choice and individual benefit represents not merely an economic inefficiency but a philosophical failure to respect the rational agency of health care consumers.—
Jared Rhoads,
STAT,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In court, Mickey grasps at straws, trying to clear his name, and in jail, the usually calm, cool and collected attorney is struggling to stay sane.—
Pamela Avila,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Boz, naturally, has the sanest and best take on the situation.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Kate Schneider’s hat trick with two goals led a well-balanced effort as Walpole used to down Ursuline 8-4.—
Kristina Banahan,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Very balanced male-female, lots of casual viewers.—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clearheaded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clearheaded. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
