Synonyms of prudence

prudence

noun

ˈprü-dᵊn(t)s 

1

as in carefulness

a close attentiveness to avoiding danger

advised to use some old-fashioned prudence when agreeing to meet face-to-face with an online acquaintance

Synonyms & Similar Words

• carefulness
• caution
• care
• circumspection
• cautiousness
• attentiveness
• wariness
• alertness
• guardedness
• vigilance
• watchfulness
• heedfulness
• observance
• chariness
• foresight
• gingerliness
• shrewdness
• providence
• calculation
• deliberation
• deliberateness
• foresightedness
• canniness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• recklessness
• carelessness
• heedlessness
• brashness
• rashness
• suddenness
• hastiness
• abruptness
• impetuousness
• incaution
• thoughtlessness
• incautiousness
• unwariness
• inconsiderateness
• inconsideration
• precipitousness

2

as in expediency

suitability for bringing about a desired result under the circumstances

prudence would call for a little more caution in such a delicate situation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• expediency
• judiciousness
• expedience
• desirability
• feasibility
• wisdom
• advisability
• desirableness
• advantageousness
• usefulness
• practicality
• profitability
• advisableness
• timeliness
• beneficialness
• opportuneness
• seasonableness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• imprudence
• unwisdom
• inadvisability
• inexpediency
• impracticality
• infeasibility
• injudiciousness
• inexpedience
• untimeliness
• inopportuneness
• unseasonableness

3

as in wisdom

the ability to make intelligent decisions especially in everyday matters

in the long run, prudence will pay off more often than taking wild risks

Synonyms & Similar Words

• wisdom
• sense
• wit
• discretion
• intelligence
• policy
• insight
• brains
• logicality
• common sense
• sensibleness
• judgment
• gumption
• levelheadedness
• horse sense
• caution
• discreetness
• nous
• logicalness
• practicality
• foresight
• rationality
• sagacity
• farsightedness
• foresightedness
• discernment
• circumspection
• shrewdness
• gray matter
• discrimination
• astuteness
• acumen
• street smarts
• care
• perspicacity
• precaution
• penetration
• sapience
• forethoughtfulness
• keenness
• forehandedness
• premeditation
• clearheadedness
• rationalness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• imprudence
• indiscretion
• stupidity
• foolishness
• carelessness
• shortsightedness
• idiocy
• heedlessness
• senselessness
• unreasonableness
• brainlessness
• half-wittedness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of prudence

That prudence by supporters of the center, including County Commissioner Raquel Regalado and Judge Steve Leifman, is now being used against them to keep the center in limbo. —Jim Defede, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026

By all accounts, being a milquetoast is a sort of vice—cowardice masquerading as prudence. —Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026

Austria retained possession of Venetia, and prudence dictated to the delegates at the Congress of Vienna that continued Austrian predominance in Italy should guarantee the peninsula against French influence. —Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Mar. 2026

This is not the time for fiscal prudence for the Sharks. —Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026