PROVIDENT Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

provident

adjective

ˈprä-və-dənt

Definition of provident

as in economical

careful in the management of money or resources it is possible to be provident without being miserly

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in cautious

having or showing awareness of and preparation for the future her provident measures kept us safe while we waited out the hurricane

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 provident The ordinance also recognizes domestic workers as formal workers and extends protections to employees of non-profit organizations, including eligibility for provident fund and pension schemes. — Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 21 Nov. 2025 For example, many cities have begun allowing parents to help their children buy an apartment using their housing provident funds, a kind of compulsory saving program in China. — Jacky Wong, WSJ, 16 Sep. 2022 Its pilots are angry over not having received the company’s contribution towards their provident fund since 2020, even as pay cuts continue. — Niharika Sharma, Quartz, 13 July 2022 Social Security would likely be replaced also with a provident-fund system, basically a private retirement account with mandatory contributions, with backup provisions if this proves to be insufficient in old age. — Nathan Lewis, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2021 That led to another announcement this spring, which prevented people from using BN(O) passports for the early withdrawal of mandatory provident funds (MPFs). — Michelle Toh and Kristie Lu Stout, CNN, 26 Aug. 2021 The deficits, however, demand a more provident approach to the ballooning defense budget (now larger than everything else in the federal discretionary budget combined). — Jessica T. Mathews, The New York Review of Books, 20 Aug. 2020

Recent Examples of Synonyms for provident

Adjective

Also, a little convenient, but economical TV-making, to put all the main players at the scene of Vega’s mall sting operation.

— Andy Andersen, Vulture, 10 July 2026
Solar window film is an economical and non-intrusive way to prevent excessive indoor heat and control cooling costs.

— Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 July 2026

Definition of economical

Adjective

Teams are generally more cautious about cooling the legs, however, because cold applied directly to working muscles immediately before a match can temporarily blunt explosive actions such as sprinting.

— Alan McCall, New York Times, 11 July 2026
Legal experts said the slow pace reflects a cautious approach by Graf and the large volume of evidence.

— Hannah Schoenbaum, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026

Definition of cautious

Adjective

When an accident brings the enigmatic Gaia into their lives, unexpected desires begin to take shape, unsettling the careful balance that has long defined their relationship.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 9 July 2026
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.

— CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of careful

Adjective

Not only did the Sabres not have the cap room for either one of those deals, but neither one would have been prudent with Buffalo’s long-term vision in mind.

— Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Josh Hawley of Florida and Brian Kemp of Georgia, a little distance might prove prudent.

— Philip Elliott, Time, 1 July 2026

Definition of prudent

Adjective

This systematic approach, including proactive diaspora talent identification and a uniform coaching philosophy across all age groups, has yielded consistent results, including a U20 World Cup win.

— Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
There are other proactive treatments and surgeries that can significantly reduce risk, Bojko said, urging women to ask their doctor about options that that would be appropriate given their fertility goals and overall health.

— Yonathan Daniel, ABC News, 8 July 2026

Definition of proactive

Adjective

Private markets chronically undersave, leaving future generations with less capital than a farsighted society would choose to bequeath.

— James Broughel, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
In another farsighted plot point, Verne has his characters attempt a course-correction burn using firework-like rockets.

— Neil Oseman, Space.com, 14 June 2026

Definition of farsighted

Adjective

To be able to present this podcast on my brother's birthday and right before my father's birthday feels very prescient.

— Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
Its satirical video, depicting politicians descending into an all-out fistfight, proved especially prescient during the fevered atmosphere of the 2016 election cycle.

— SPIN Staff, SPIN, 17 June 2026

Definition of prescient

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“Provident.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provident. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of provident

adjective

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