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 No sane person would throw money out the window carelessly. Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2025 No sane sailing event would choose to hold a competition on the waters of Upper New York Bay, although Formula One probably shouldn’t stage a grand prix on the narrow streets of Monaco, either. Andrew Rice, New York Times, 7 June 2025 As Scott stumbles through a chaotic weekend, Neil proves a ride-or-die friend who may be the only sane voice in the madness of wedding season. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 30 May 2025 Nalgenes are lighter than stainless steel and, frankly, the only sane option for hiking. Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 25 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for sane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sane
Adjective
  • His early stardom never quite translated into a stable senior career as opportunities dried up in a system overflowing with talent.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
  • The president further argues that lower rates will make financing the ever-increasing federal debt cheaper, a factor which does not play into the Fed’s statutory dual mandate of ensuring maximum sustainable employment and stable prices.
    Ron Insana, CNBC, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Deloitte’s Global Resilience Report, based on surveys of over 2,000 CEOs and 6,000 executives, found that 62% view ongoing disruption as the new normal.
    Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • If the war in Ukraine is to be contained and ultimately resolved, Europe will have to make clear to Beijing that normal commercial relations cannot coexist with China’s support for a war against the European security order.
    Michael Carpenter, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • But the idea of an algorithm, which is as prone to generate nonsense as anything lucid, representing a deceased person’s thoughts or behaviors seems terrifying.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 13 June 2025
  • These treatments can help people maintain their independence longer and make the most of their lucid years.
    Jim Taylor, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025
Adjective
  • Eventually, this bargain approach is vindicated by returns as rational pricing returns to markets.
    James Berman, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • No rational business is going to make long-term investments in American manufacturing based on such transient policies.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Seeing penalty abatement for reasonable cause can also be time-consuming and expensive so preventing the misclassification is a better course of action.
    Priya Prakash Royal Esq. LL.M. MBA AEP TEP, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • In criminal cases, prosecutors must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • The argument in favor was to have a fully balanced schedule, where everyone played everyone else twice.
    Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2025
  • Served with kimchi, daikon and rice, the plate is balanced and filling.
    Irene Milanez, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • Inside an office, a doctor told Ross that the top of his ligament was healthy and strong.
    Will Sammon, New York Times, 8 July 2025
  • Experts have said for some time that not all fats are bad—in fact, some are healthy and key to a balanced diet that can contribute to better weight management.
    Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • But thanks to sensible regulations and a strong potential upside, its industry is starting to light up, and Forbes has created a guide to navigating the cannabis laws across the EU and the United Kingdom.
    Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
  • Taking Shoaib Bashir out of the firing line seems sensible, too.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 8 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sane. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sane

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!