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clearheaded

adjective

ˈklir-ˌhe-dəd How to pronounce clearheaded (audio)
Definition of clearheadednext
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

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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 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 See All Example Sentences for clearheaded
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clearheaded
  1. lucid
  2. sober
  3. stable
  4. normal
  5. rational
  6. sane
  7. balanced
Adjective
  • But his memory, of a long career as a reporter around the globe, with turns as an essayist, a historian, a novelist, and a political activist, remains almost eerily lucid.
    — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2026
  • These 16 slaps are lucid and adventurous, featuring random Jay Electronica warblings, DJ Quik rhythms, and a couple of surprisingly appropriate Westside Gunn vignettes.
    — Will Dukes, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of lucid
Adjective
  • For operators, that positions soft clubbing inside a sustained daytime, sober-friendly movement rather than a one-season novelty.
    — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The format sits inside a broader wave of sober-curious alternatives to conventional nightlife.
    — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of sober
Adjective
  • The Nebraska researchers also found that hafnia becomes more stable as its thickness decreases.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The parties see upside in a merger, according to the report, because both companies’ shares have been undervalued and People’s stable of lifestyle magazines like Food & Wine could complement the hospitality offerings of MGM.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of stable
Adjective
  • Difficult or disruptive events can create opportunities to enact changes or policies that would be hard to implement during normal times.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • According to the investigation, the shooting began as a road-rage dispute between the garbage truck driver, who was performing his normal route, and occupants of a white box truck that was blocking the roadway, the release stated.
    — Keily Alfonzo, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of normal
Adjective
  • Founded by two British academics almost two decades ago, Effective Altruism is a philosophical movement whose core idea is that people should try to use rational processes to do the most good for the most people in the world.
    — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026
  • This is not to impugn the nobility of counting, of the close and careful observation of nature, of the rational, ordered efforts to understand it.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of rational
Adjective
  • And, to the surprise of approximately nobody, the WNBA's most sane player offered up the most sane take of this entire, silly ordeal.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • No sane fantasy manager will sit any of these running backs, and these grades are not suggesting that course of action.
    — KC Joyner, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of sane
Adjective
  • They must be addressed in a hardheaded and balanced way, not as Mayor Johnson insists by simply hiking taxes on businesses and the wealthy.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The sandwich is perfectly balanced with the soft fresh bread, smoky turkey with the ranch and avocado providing a creaminess without making the sandwich heavy.
    — Justin Brown, AJC.com, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of balanced

Browse Nearby Words

clear-eyed
clearheaded
clearheadedness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clearheaded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clearheaded. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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