Synonyms of judicious

judicious

adjective

jü-ˈdi-shəs 

1

as in intelligent

having or showing good judgment and restraint especially in conduct or speech

a good teacher who knows how to give judicious criticism as well as praise

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intelligent
• prudent
• cautious
• discreet
• sensible
• circumspect
• judgmatical
• judgmatic
• chary
• wise
• foresighted
• sage
• astute
• sane
• discerning
• sagacious
• discriminating
• cozy
• perspicacious
• foresightful
• shrewd
• sapient
• forehanded
• senseful
• provident
• canny
• forethoughtful

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• injudicious
• imprudent
• careless
• indiscreet
• rash
• heedless
• foolish
• improvident
• unwise
• shortsighted
• incautious

2

as in prudent

suitable for bringing about a desired result under the circumstances

I'll ask for the raise at a time I deem most judicious

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prudent
• wise
• desirable
• tactical
• expedient
• possible
• advisable
• politic
• beneficial
• practical
• profitable
• useful
• advantageous
• practicable
• feasible
• utilitarian
• timely
• opportune
• opportunistic
• seasonable
• self-seeking

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unwise
• injudicious
• imprudent
• inadvisable
• impractical
• inexpedient
• unprofitable
• untimely
• impolitic
• unfeasible
• profitless
• inopportune
• unseasonable

Synonym Chooser

How is the word judicious distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of judicious are prudent, sage, sane, sapient, sensible, and wise. While all these words mean "having or showing sound judgment," judicious stresses a capacity for reaching wise decisions or just conclusions.

judicious parents using kindness and discipline in equal measure

When would prudent be a good substitute for judicious?

While the synonyms prudent and judicious are close in meaning, prudent suggests the exercise of restraint guided by sound practical wisdom and discretion.

a prudent decision to wait out the storm

Where would sage be a reasonable alternative to judicious?

The words sage and judicious can be used in similar contexts, but sage suggests wide experience, great learning, and wisdom.

the sage advice of my father

When could sane be used to replace judicious?

While in some cases nearly identical to judicious, sane stresses mental soundness, rationality, and levelheadedness.

remained sane even in times of crises

When is sapient a more appropriate choice than judicious?

In some situations, the words sapient and judicious are roughly equivalent. However, sapient suggests great sagacity and discernment.

the sapient musings of an old philosopher

When might sensible be a better fit than judicious?

The words sensible and judicious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sensible applies to action guided and restrained by good sense and rationality.

a sensible woman who was not fooled by flattery

In what contexts can wise take the place of judicious?

Although the words wise and judicious have much in common, wise suggests great understanding of people and of situations and unusual discernment and judgment in dealing with them.

wise beyond his tender years

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of judicious

But the Dolphins must still be judicious with Daniels. —Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 29 July 2025

The Padres didn’t get a chance to be that judicious against left-hander Cristopher Sánchez in the nightcap. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2025

Miike, through his judicious use of close-ups and gradual unfurling of information, begins to tilt the share of power between his characters in thrilling ways — which in turn forces the audiences to re-calibrate their own beliefs on the fly. —Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 19 June 2025

Consider the judicious swapping of a line from Percy Bysshe Shelley for a line from C. Louis Leipoldt. —The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 10 July 2025