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sage

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sage distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of sage are judicious, prudent, sane, sapient, sensible, and wise. While all these words mean "having or showing sound judgment," sage suggests wide experience, great learning, and wisdom.

the sage advice of my father

When can judicious be used instead of sage?

The words judicious and sage can be used in similar contexts, but 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 sage?

Although the words prudent and sage have much in common, prudent suggests the exercise of restraint guided by sound practical wisdom and discretion.

a prudent decision to wait out the storm

When could sane be used to replace sage?

The meanings of sane and sage largely overlap; however, sane stresses mental soundness, rationality, and levelheadedness.

remained sane even in times of crises

When is sapient a more appropriate choice than sage?

In some situations, the words sapient and sage 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 sage?

While in some cases nearly identical to sage, 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 sage?

The synonyms wise and sage are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

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 sage
Noun
Here’s some sage advice about making the most of your shopping experience at one of the the world’s biggest wholesale warehouses. Leslie Kelly, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025 Soft, soothing shades like dusty blues, sage greens and warm neutrals can help create a tranquil mood. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025 That program including opening the mouth to the ocean, restoring tidal wetlands, creating new endangered bird breeding habitat and preserving the surrounding coastal sage scrub habitat vital for endangered songbirds, such as the Belding’s savannah sparrow. Jeff Regan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2025 The neutral ivory and sage runner has a muted floral pattern that’s eye-catching yet not overwhelming. Maggie Horton, People.com, 23 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sage
Adjective
  • The one that was pretty impactful for me at Cannes, at least life trajectory wise, probably more impactful than all of those other films, came in 2012.
    Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2025
  • If not, while national security, stability, and local shipbuilding growth are important, adding levies to tariffs this year may not be wise.
    Phillip Molnar, Mercury News, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • The writer and scholar Robert Macfarlane has spent much of his life climbing up mountains and fishing on rivers, and his passion for each extends to his writing.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 14 May 2025
  • Before Wednesday’s hearing, U.S. attorneys argued that Khan Suri’s case should be moved from Virginia to Texas because the petition was filed after the scholar had already left the state.
    Olivia Diaz, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • But most other Fed officials believe the prudent move would be to wait on lowering interest rates until there is a more material deterioration in labor markets.
    Rob Wile, NBC news, 7 May 2025
  • In the face of policy zig-zags and on-again/off-again pronouncements, the prudent stance is to hold fast, keep one’s powder dry and avoid further risk.
    Jerrold Lundquist, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sage. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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