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 No sane fantasy manager will sit any of these running backs, and these grades are not suggesting that course of action. — Kc Joyner, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 Can any sane person bank on all six surviving a 17-game slate unscathed? — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026 Dolly once said a return to roots kept her sane, and appreciation for music that felt like her bloodstream moved her deeply. — Martha Ackmann, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026 Jurors next weigh whether Salazar was legally sane at the time of the shooting, a decision that will send him either to state prison or a psychiatric hospital. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sane
Adjective
  • The researchers designed the new electrolyte to tackle these problems by combining efficient ion transport with a more stable, solid-like structure.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Most SaaS pricing models were created around predictable usage patterns; subscriptions assume relatively stable cost structures, but AI breaks that assumption because usage becomes more dynamic.
    — Channing Ferrer, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • It's shot up from less than $97 at the start of the month on uncertainty about when the war with Iran will allow the global energy industry to return to normal.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Menopause is the normal part of a woman’s aging process that marks the end of her reproductive years.
    — Lyndon Haviland, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Perfectly lucid, aware of the smell of Simple Green overtaken by perfumes, the talcum stink of baby powder.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Adjective
  • Predicting the costs How cities full of rational, educated, financially prudent people get sucked in, how we’re persuaded to put aside concerns about being stuck with a massive bill and just surrender to the spectacle.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • There is, in the cold, rational, and most-of-all humorless heart of Defoe, intimations of a world to come (which is our own).
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Almost all the controls were electronic buttons, and the dashboard was entirely digital—two ideas that sound reasonable today but were nightmarishly complex in the mid-1970s.
    — Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The gap between the goal and the day becomes so wide that quitting feels reasonable.
    — JJ Mazzo, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • But carbohydrates are one of your body’s main sources of energy, and foods like fruit, whole grains, beans, potatoes, and even bread and pasta can all fit into a balanced way of eating.
    — Lauren Manaker MS, HEALTH, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Now with a handful of key injuries, even great play-calling and a balanced run/pass attack won’t win games.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Getting Williams back healthy had been central to Oklahoma City’s goal of returning to the NBA Finals.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Both of these elements challenge different facets of balance, strength, and mobility, all of which are important for healthy aging and everyday activities.
    — Jakob Roze, HEALTH, 28 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Guests who think an occasional bottle of wine flung on the counter has rendered this custom obsolete should note that any sensible hostess will disagree.
    — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The most sensible corporate response is neither blind automation nor defensive denial.
    — Gleb Tsipursky, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sane. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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