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 However, several mental health professionals deemed Johnson to be sane of mind during the commission of the act, the outlet reported. Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025 So my calendar is everything to me and keeps me sane and on time. Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 11 Sep. 2025 For those who never got sick of watching Dunder Mifflin’s few sane employees stare exasperatedly into the camera as one of its certifiable weirdos did something unhinged, there’s a good amount of that here, too. Judy Berman, Time, 3 Sep. 2025 Watching a genocide being live streamed is something no sane person could abide. Rabih Alameddine september 2, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sane
Adjective
  • The fossil chemicals in question are a special types of steranes, which are the geologically stable form of sterols, like cholesterol, that are found in the cell membranes of complex organisms.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Married Matt and Amber Barnett overcame a little bit of jealousy and a lot of credit card debt to cultivate a stable relationship.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Newsweek contacted Johnson by email to comment on this story outside of normal business hours.
    Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Vitamins and some foods can change the shade, and your first pee of the morning will almost always be darker — that’s normal.
    Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Just like the Nômade property in Tulum, Nômade Temple Holbox is mindfulness focused to the core, offering experiences ranging from introductory yoga classes to more out-there wellness experiences like lucid dreaming sound journeys.
    Carley Rojas Ávila, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Floating somewhere between lucid dreams and nightmares, Desde el Coma feels like waking up gasping for air — a kaleidoscope of bruises, chaos, and resurrection.
    Natalia Cano, Billboard, 22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Every argument has a rational, emotional, and rhetorical component.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
  • If the court concludes that conversion therapy is conduct, then the Colorado law is subject to the same standard used in Skrmetti – rational basis – and likely will survive.
    Timothy R. Holbrook, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The commission tabled the item to provide more time for Experience Fayetteville staff to evaluate the worth of the property, the house's annual expenses, a reasonable market-rate rent range and the total cost of repairs to the property paid for by Experience Fayetteville.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2025
  • The federal law requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for workers with disabilities unless doing so would cause undue hardship.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Take a bite and experience a comforting wallop of warm spices, spicy ginger and smoky, perfectly balanced heat.
    Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Since the plant is still actively growing, fertilize it with a balanced fertilizer every two to four weeks.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Johnson praised the president’s campaign advising Salvadorans on how to stay healthy during COVID-19.
    T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Beverage makers are grappling with consumers’ desires for healthier fare, and sales of beer and soda have ebbed.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Over the course of nine films that span more than 50 years, not once does horror film icon Leatherface take sensible chainsaw safety precautions.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 Oct. 2025
  • To kick off your collection, here’s what The Athletic feel are the most sensible and eye-catching Yamal rookie cards to collect.
    Andrew Mackie, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sane. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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