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 There are places where the use of safe and sane fireworks are allowed. Paris Barraza, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025 Frankie Muniz is back as the titular Malcolm, the only sane voice in a particularly wacky family led by Jane Kaczmarek (Lois) and Bryan Cranston (Hal). Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Dec. 2025 Dairy farming is endless hard work, but thanks to these robots, small family farms are able to keep themselves sustainable (and sane). IEEE Spectrum, 24 Dec. 2025 Is there anything so useful and intimate as a conversation with your teenager about scandalous language, vocabulary which any sane parent knows their kid knows, and which, because Catullus has formalized it in lovely hendecasyllables, becomes fodder for frank discussion? Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sane
Adjective
  • Polk said the astronaut is stable but that diagnostic uncertainty in microgravity prompted NASA to err on the side of bringing the crew member back to Earth.
    Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Treaties assume shared values, stable circumstances, and mutual benefit.
    Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • This single fine is close to the normal total of $8 million to $10 million in all fines that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration hands out each year.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Trump, as is his want, is just doing the normal thing without the usual white niceties that come with imperialist machinations.
    Elie Mystal, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • After he was retrieved by first responders and transported to a hospital, a hospital spokesperson confirmed to Jornal Folha do Litoral News that Thomaz was lucid, with signs of dehydration and hematomas on his legs.
    Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
  • His deepest engagement on the subject seems to have been, believe it or not, a lucid 2024 conversation with the YouTuber Logan Paul.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 15 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • Scapegoating everyone of similar background as a criminal should be self-evidently wrong to any rational person.
    Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Even paranoiacs have enemies, maybe rendering their paranoia a rational response.
    Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Advertisement Think smart regulation, not more regulation The dealmaking bonanza on Wall Street since Biden Administration officials left office offers a reasonable gauge of the damage inflicted when regulatory agencies are captured by ideology.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
  • The only reasonable, logical explanation to Indiana University’s success in football is not coaching, but cheating.
    Mac Engel January 13, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • At the other end, the visitors from sea level got a balanced scoring effort behind 50% shooting, with six players between seven and Reese Dixon-Waters’ 13 points.
    Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
  • Relying on a single central fixture or using lighting that creates strong shadows can make a room feel tighter and less balanced.
    Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The brand notes that the foundation has a special cell oxygen booster that protects your skin from blue light and promotes cell regeneration for healthier-looking skin.
    Eva Thomas, InStyle, 14 Jan. 2026
  • Opt for healthy unsaturated fats, such as avocado, olive oil, and fish.
    Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The underlying data also illustrates why Doekhi would be such a sensible fit in the Leeds defence.
    Beren Cross, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
  • Anderson’s bestsellers are high-performing, yes, but also come with sensible price tags attached.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 13 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sane. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.

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