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 The fireworks sold by them are safe, sane and given a green light by the state fire marshal. Kayla Moeller, CBS News, 29 June 2026 Affluent suburbs tend to sit a good distance from the urban center but close enough for a sane commute. Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 24 June 2026 The only sane way to form an opinion about a studio show is to land somewhere between being OK with it and a state of wholesale indifference. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 24 June 2026 Perhaps the sanest character is Trent, who shows off his musical chops in a bar scene, thrashing some vocals with a metal band. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sane
Adjective
  • Authorities said one of 10 survivors was discharged from the hospital while the other nine were in stable condition.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
  • There’s also a beach, a floating water park, a horse stable, and a 27-hole, 81-par disc golf course that hosts the annual New Mexico Disc Golf Championships.
    Allison Savage Bates, Denver Post, 19 July 2026
Adjective
  • Maybe redemption is too strong a word, but with all of this attention on Luke, Joe’s normal-bordering-on-wholesome fling with Kayley is a breath of fresh air.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 July 2026
  • That could eventually help mobile carriers extend voice, text and data coverage beyond normal cell towers.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026
Adjective
  • The songs are lucid and explicit, delivered with the gravitas of someone whose world has just changed forever.
    Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 20 July 2026
  • With all of this plot packed into the narrative, and much more, Nolan does a reasonably good job of keeping things lucid.
    Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 16 July 2026
Adjective
  • In an article for Marie Claire, Rapinoe trotted out several common left-wing talking points aimed at scaring rational-thinking people into believing that keeping males out of women's sports is somehow bad for girls and women.
    Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026
  • While shocking, the Australian Space Agency said there’s a completely rational, albeit cosmic, explanation.
    Drew Pittock, USA Today, 8 July 2026
Adjective
  • Judging by the latest Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness, that seems a reasonable assumption.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 18 July 2026
  • The political statements made in Nolan’s version are the same ones made in Homer’s poem, or at the very least a reasonable interpretation of the anti-war sentiments therein.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Adjective
  • This new expression aims to deliver a more intense agave character, inspired by bartender requests for a robust yet balanced spirit for cocktails.
    Amber Love Bond, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • Scale and proportion also play a major role in helping groupings look balanced.
    Colleen Sullivan, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 July 2026
Adjective
  • But unlike the scramble to rescue coral babies a few years back, these corals were still perfectly healthy.
    Alex Harris July 23, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026
  • This relative strength chart shows that whenever GOOGL outperformed the MAGS ETF, both the stock and the ETF tended to advance at a healthy pace.
    Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 22 July 2026
Adjective
  • With the loss of local NBC affiliates, Telemundo, nine regional sports channels, and 32 national channels, Fubo made the sensible but rare decision to lower subscription prices in December.
    Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026
  • Roseman’s decision to bring back Goedert and pair him with a draft pick (second-round pick Eli Stowers) and inexpensive free agents was a more sensible solution.
    Zach Berman, New York Times, 16 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sane. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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