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 One of the few sane adults left in his administration must have reminded him that antagonizing Catholics is a terrible political move. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026 The goal, however, shouldn’t be to compete with clubs but to offer a saner alternative. Editorial, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 2026 And finally, Kelly (Vaughan Murrae), the baby Lois was pregnant with in the series finale, is a thoughtful teenager, trying to keep sane in their chaotic household. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 9 Apr. 2026 Muniz is back as the titular Malcolm, the only sane voice in a particularly wacky family led by Kaczmarek (Lois) and Cranston (Hal). Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sane
Adjective
  • Rudolph Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City, is in critical but stable condition at a hospital, his spokesman said Sunday.
    Michael R. Sisak, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
  • Rob Carr / Getty Images Before starting her stable, DeVaux climbed her way up the ranks, beginning as a stable worker for the late Chuck Simon before becoming an assistant trainer for Chad Brown.
    Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 3 May 2026
Adjective
  • There’s a Marshalls on the Strip, a flashy glassy Marshalls being scaled by King Kong–like blinking M&M’s, but this was a normal strip-mall Marshalls.
    Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 2 May 2026
  • Temperatures will return closer to 'normal' beginning on Sunday afternoon, with highs near 60 degrees.
    Ron Smiley, CBS News, 2 May 2026
Adjective
  • Twenty lucid dreamers, including Bark-Huss, spent multiple nights in the lab, trying to work out puzzles in their sleep.
    Shayla Love, New Yorker, 1 May 2026
  • The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claims that the leader is lucid and exerting total control over the country that his office commands.
    Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 1 May 2026
Adjective
  • Evans and his backers were rational actors inside an irrational system.
    Big Think, Big Think, 1 May 2026
  • By any rational examination, there are more people on Rikers than need to be for public safety.
    Jonathan Lippman, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • And that is actually a reasonable price for those books.
    Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
  • Bowman noted the authority is guided by state law and case law in its decisions and deciding what is just and reasonable by a preponderance of evidence.
    Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 2 May 2026
Adjective
  • An independent redistricting commission — transparent, balanced and insulated from the very political pressures that have corrupted this process.
    Daryl Campbell, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2026
  • Still, the majority of testers found it to be balanced and consistent throughout.
    Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 6 May 2026
Adjective
  • For most healthy adults, the occasional cola—such as a few servings per week—is unlikely to affect the kidneys in any measurable way.
    MD Published, Verywell Health, 2 May 2026
  • Unlike colon or breast cancer, there is no routine screening for pancreatic cancer in healthy people.
    Aria Bendix, NBC news, 2 May 2026
Adjective
  • Their mother is obsessed with marrying all the girls off, but has seemingly decided that bookish, sensible Mary isn’t worth the energy.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 May 2026
  • Our self-interest has usually been of the sensible sort.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sane. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on sane

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster