Definition of sanenext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sane distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of sane are judicious, prudent, sage, sapient, sensible, and wise. While all these words mean "having or showing sound judgment," sane stresses mental soundness, rationality, and levelheadedness.

remained sane even in times of crises

When might judicious be a better fit than sane?

In some situations, the words judicious and sane are roughly equivalent. However, judicious stresses a capacity for reaching wise decisions or just conclusions.

judicious parents using kindness and discipline in equal measure

When is prudent a more appropriate choice than sane?

While the synonyms prudent and sane 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

In what contexts can sage take the place of sane?

While in some cases nearly identical to sane, sage suggests wide experience, great learning, and wisdom.

the sage advice of my father

When is it sensible to use sapient instead of sane?

Although the words sapient and sane have much in common, sapient suggests great sagacity and discernment.

the sapient musings of an old philosopher

When could sensible be used to replace sane?

The meanings of sensible and sane largely overlap; however, sensible applies to action guided and restrained by good sense and rationality.

a sensible woman who was not fooled by flattery

Where would wise be a reasonable alternative to sane?

The synonyms wise and sane 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 sane What person in their sane mind that’s not a Russian asset would do that? Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026 One part sends me to therapy, the other keeps me sane [laughs]. Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026 This is the easiest and sanest route to take, which means the WNBA will do what most Florida folks do and avoid I-4 at all costs. Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026 In a saner world, our legislators would have greater respect for the people of Maryland. Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sane
Adjective
  • Nuclear power, where viable, can offer another source of relatively stable generation costs.
    Nana Menya Ayensu, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Don also taught his son how to be a light for people who need him, how to be level-headed and stable and how to deal with adversity.
    Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • You literally get paid time to give back during normal work hours.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The catastrophe left Miami’s airport operating with just two of its normal four runways on a busy Labor Day and raised questions about whether the facility needs better equipment to prevent an overshooting aircraft from leaving airport property.
    Maria Aguilar Prieto, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • But his memory, of a long career as a reporter around the globe, with turns as an essayist, a historian, a novelist, and a political activist, remains almost eerily lucid.
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2026
  • These 16 slaps are lucid and adventurous, featuring random Jay Electronica warblings, DJ Quik rhythms, and a couple of surprisingly appropriate Westside Gunn vignettes.
    Will Dukes, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • If that is true, and Clancy chose to kill herself and take her children with her, was her act rational?
    Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
  • If only the film had lingered longer on Vasarhelyi’s totally rational horror and disbelief.
    Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The judge then reread his instructions on reasonable doubt before sending them back to continue deliberating.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Deadlocked jurors have deliberated seven days, with one panelist accused of misapplying reasonable doubt, exposing deep divisions over whether the Massachusetts mother is criminally responsible for killing her three young children.
    Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Bowling ball, balanced, has vision, compact, efficient, tough.
    Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The formula is pH balanced and made with non-toxic, high-quality ingredients that make your leather last longer.
    ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Reason for hope on defense If the top players on the back end stay healthy, this secondary will be one of the best in the NFL.
    Chad Graff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • This year, thanks to a healthy budget allocation from the state, the CSU Board of Trustees decided to advance some capital projects.
    Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Sometimes, long after a sensible bedtime, the sun would break through the cloud for the first time that day.
    Holden Frith, TheWeek, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The return of Gustavo Hamer feels like a sentimental move rather than necessarily a sensible football decision and Loum Tchaouna has changed clubs for the fifth summer in a row, and didn’t particularly convince for Burnley last season.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sane. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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