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 This Mind, God, is utterly sane, calm, the Love and light of the universe, the only power. The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Aug. 2026 What person in their sane mind that’s not a Russian asset would do that? Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026 One part sends me to therapy, the other keeps me sane [laughs]. Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026 This is the easiest and sanest route to take, which means the WNBA will do what most Florida folks do and avoid I-4 at all costs. Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sane
Adjective
  • Her mother, originally from Sinaloa, does workers’ compensation insurance, which provided a stable income and allowed her partner to pursue acting.
    Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
  • When many defects were present, the electrons became locked into an unexpectedly stable Wigner solid with irregular and disordered patterns.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • You literally get paid time to give back during normal work hours.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The catastrophe left Miami’s airport operating with just two of its normal four runways on a busy Labor Day and raised questions about whether the facility needs better equipment to prevent an overshooting aircraft from leaving airport property.
    Maria Aguilar Prieto, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • But his memory, of a long career as a reporter around the globe, with turns as an essayist, a historian, a novelist, and a political activist, remains almost eerily lucid.
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2026
  • These 16 slaps are lucid and adventurous, featuring random Jay Electronica warblings, DJ Quik rhythms, and a couple of surprisingly appropriate Westside Gunn vignettes.
    Will Dukes, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Clearly, the most mutually beneficial option is for neither rational actor to talk.
    Zev Fima, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Elliptic curves of rank 0, for example, have only a finite number of rational points.
    Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 16 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The defense acknowledged the affair but argued the state had built its case on a theory of motive and would be unable to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
    Holly Yan, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Twenty-five states have called for a constitutional amendment to restore the ability of Congress and the states to set reasonable limits on money in elections.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Directionally, flows were exactly balanced at 76 entries and 76 exits.
    Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The Moon enters balanced Libra, bringing greater attention to your career, reputation, and interactions with decision-makers.
    Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • That breadth matters because a healthy theater community needs places where smaller companies don’t carry the price or expectations of Broadway shows.
    Brian Beirne, New York Daily News, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Researchers believe this national longevity is likely linked to low rates of obesity, healthy diets, widespread health screenings and affordable health care, which lead to lower mortality rates from heart disease and cancer.
    Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 16 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Hardware or firmware that has already been used and studied in academic or institutional settings can be a sensible place to start, particularly when there is published technical evidence and an experienced user community behind it.
    Aaron Timm, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The three writers attempted to balance overall talent with building a sensible basketball team.
    Victor Wembanyama, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sane. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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