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
  • The bigger lesson from the Strait of Hormuz crisis is that efficiency may work in a stable world, but falls apart in an unstable one.
    Victor Nian, Fortune, 10 May 2026
  • Chinese state media said the robots can navigate difficult terrain and operate as stable mobile weapons platforms resistant to recoil and blast impacts.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 May 2026
Adjective
  • After replanting, or if the roots look normal, keep the soil moist.
    Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2026
  • But not the average, normal citizen workers.
    Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
Adjective
  • According to O’Leary, airports have effectively delegated to airlines the consequences of early morning happy hour—namely, rowdy passengers boarding flights while less than lucid.
    Tristan Bove, Fortune, 6 May 2026
  • Robinson is warmly theological where Ishiguro is bleakly philosophical, lyrically expansive where Ishiguro is almost blandly lucid.
    James Wood, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Adjective
  • All religions are about that kind of magical thinking that goes beyond the rational.
    Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 7 May 2026
  • The problem with being reduced to playoff bystander is the danger of getting caught up in possibilities lost, at a time when rational thought about realistic possibilities is paramount.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 4 May 2026
Adjective
  • The ten-course meal costs a hundred and forty dollars per person, which is not exactly sofa-cushion change but does feel reasonable given that such high-flying pastry is normally available only at the end of ultra-ritzy meals of considerably higher expense.
    Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 10 May 2026
  • Finding the perfect venue to have a ring, a backstage area, paying fees and setting a reasonable ticket price are all things that have to be considered.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
Adjective
  • Other Potential Benefits of Gelatin Even if its impact on gut health isn’t fully established, gelatin can still have a place in a healthy, balanced diet.
    Jennifer Klump, Verywell Health, 13 May 2026
  • Burries belongs in the conversation as a balanced two-way athlete.
    C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 13 May 2026
Adjective
  • And, not surprisingly, that’s not healthy.
    Chris Hewitt, Boston Herald, 10 May 2026
  • Shoppers flock to the retailer to snag healthy, long-lasting peonies without breaking the bank.
    Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 May 2026
Adjective
  • However, learning when and how to prune a dogwood tree is sensible to help keep your specimen looking and feeling its best.
    Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 11 May 2026
  • According to Arthur Ream, a computer information systems lecturer at Bentley University, the home-as-data-center model is plausible, already happening, and a sensible answer for inference workloads, if not training.
    Kevin Williams, CNBC, 9 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sane. Accessed 15 May. 2026.

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