sage 1 of 2

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
The luscious, three-column design on this option adds a geometric, clean-line appearance to any aesthetic, and the shade of sage green is complementary to a slew of colors—even a brighter shade of pistachio. Jacorey Moon, Architectural Digest, 21 June 2025 As California quail darted through scrub oaks, Seidenberg foraged for various ingredients—purple sage, yerba santa, manzanita berries—to create celebratory mocktails. David Amsden, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2025 Kazumi Tsuji, a shop owner in Little Tokyo, walked around her business and surrounding buildings with a handful of burning sage. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2025 Just before taking the stage in a glittering red gown, the Wicked star — who made her hosting debut at this year’s ceremony — ran into Winfrey, who gave her some sage advice. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for sage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sage
Adjective
  • Washington eventually adopted more sensible approaches that mobilized the resources of key allies, developed a wiser balance between conventional and nuclear tools, and assumed a less confrontational attitude toward Moscow.
    JENNIFER LIND, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
  • Those who are successful in the job market learn how to embrace tradeoffs to make wise choices.
    Michael B. Horn, Time, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • The paper was published last month by a team of computer scientists and legal scholars from Stanford, Cornell, and West Virginia University.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 20 June 2025
  • But some, including legal scholars from New York University’s Brennan Center, have argued a potential loophole exists unless Congress bans using the National Guard to enforce the law in other states without gubernatorial consent.
    Davis Winkie, USA Today, 19 June 2025
Adjective
  • Banning any emulsifiers that might be found to cause serious harm would be prudent, but then foods that contain them would have to be reformulated—a costly, time-consuming endeavor.
    Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 25 June 2025
  • The trade Given these risks, hedging is prudent for investors with significant tech exposure, particularly those concerned about short-term volatility.
    Michael Khouw, CNBC, 23 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sage. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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