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 But the legal system’s binary standard—sane and guilty, or insane and not—fits imperfectly with human intuitions about culpability in tragedies like the Clancys’. Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 30 July 2026 Those flows then fell precipitously to levels too low for most sane boaters. Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 16 July 2026 Any sane French analysis of this exit must recognise the second team in the arena, who delivered one of the all-time great collective World Cup performances. Adam Crafton, New York Times, 15 July 2026 Once a verdict is delivered in the case before Yolo Superior Court Judge Samuel McAdam, the trial shifts to a second phase to determine whether Dominguez was sane at the time of the crimes. Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sane
Adjective
  • That has left oil supplies being released in intermittent waves, rather than returning to the stable, steady flow seen in the past.
    , CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Unlike many other regions, Australian largetooth sawfish appear to have maintained relatively stable genetic diversity since at least the 1960s.
    Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Villa go in as considerable underdogs — 7/2 to win in normal time and 2/1 to lift the trophy — and pulling it off would represent another big result in what has already been a landmark year for the club.
    Dean Jones, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • While Social Security is facing long-term financial challenges, including projections that the retirement trust fund could face a shortfall as soon as 2032, beneficiaries can still expect payments to follow the agency's normal schedule this month.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The artist adopts a schizoid persona, with multiple voices flowing out of him, and swerves between lucid social criticism—about the history of slavery or of higher education—and total gibberish.
    Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Zuckerman said Monday’s cross-examination helped the defense by supplying testimony that Clancy could appear lucid at some moments while experiencing severe psychiatric symptoms at others.
    Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Her mental health afterward Two forensic psychiatrists testified Monday that Clancy appeared clear-headed and rational in the days after the killings.
    Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Employers must move beyond resilience training, creating transparent, equitable workplaces where effort is rewarded and mistakes are tolerated, ensuring ambition remains a rational choice for diverse talent.
    Nancy Doyle, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Therefore, Tunick remains presumed innocent unless prosecutors prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Since the State could not disprove the justification defense beyond a reasonable doubt, the evidence resulted in the decision that no criminal charges would be filed against the fast-food employees.
    Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • This well-balanced and resilient Braves squad is clearly built for a deep postseason run.
    Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Second-year head coach Matt Hatchette promises a balanced offensive attack.
    Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 10 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Current reports from the ship confirm continuous access to clean water, functional AC, and healthy meal options.
    CBS News, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • So swimming, a life-enhancing, healthy activity, indoors and especially outdoors in nature, has been vastly curtailed.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Every one of those simplifications is sensible for a proof of concept.
    Leon Gordon, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The Naturalizer Brie Sandals are a perfect day-to-night pick, thanks to their sensible block heel, strappy leather uppers, and signature contoured footbed.
    Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 5 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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