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
  • The other patients -- a male child, a 23-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman -- are in stable condition, according to the hospital.
    Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 27 July 2026
  • Miami’s German Berterame was hospitalized after landing on his head from an in-air collision and appearing to lose consciousness, but is said to now be stable and undergoing tests.
    Greg Cote July 26, Miami Herald, 26 July 2026
Adjective
  • That matters because if the public and investors start to doubt inflation will get back to normal, workers would likely demand major wage hikes and companies would preemptively raise prices.
    Matt Egan, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
  • There was an intervention with a client to navigate a relationship dynamic, and a lifestyle decision was outside of my normal coaching repertoire.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 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
  • His research now reveals revenge operates like an addiction in the brain, activating craving and reward centers while silencing rational thought.
    Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • The pair’s mysterious interactions in the early chapters give way to a series of parables of doubt and belief, in which a rational character is confronted by an irrational event—and immediately convinced of its absolute truth.
    Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026
Adjective
  • Just as reasonable public health officials had warned, measles is now finding vulnerable victims across the country.
    Dr. Michael Good, Hartford Courant, 26 July 2026
  • No reasonable person would argue against providing animals with excellent medical care.
    Marianne Pizzitola, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026
Adjective
  • Ideally, Sammis will ask less of Craig than Briles did of Hoover and TCU will have its most balanced offense since 2022.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026
  • While some of the options flows are getting more balanced between bulls and bears, the biggest single SpaceX trades of the day on Monday were neutral to bullish.
    Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 28 July 2026
Adjective
  • She has been diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, an eye disease that causes vision loss, and lupus, a disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues and organs instead of fighting germs, according to court records.
    Chase Jordan July 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
  • And unlike day one of last season, which saw offensive lineman Bayron Matos get airlifted to a local hospital and cornerback Artie Burns suffer a significant knee injury, the Dolphins emerged healthy.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
Adjective
  • The pumps are designed with a delicate almond toe, a conservative high-cut vamp, and a sensible heel, measuring around three inches.
    Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 24 July 2026
  • Every notetaker that joins a meeting traces back to a reasonably sensible individual choice to keep a credible set of notes in an endless sea of meetings.
    Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 24 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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