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 Because those are the things that keep you sane, that give meaning to life in some fashion. Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2025 McCurdy and Stoner each end their memoirs proud of having emerged into saner adulthoods. Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025 Music is the only thing that keeps me sane through traffic, deadlines, and everyone talking way too loud on speakerphone. PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2025 No sane person disagrees with me. Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sane
Adjective
  • Coaching is stable under Jon Scheyer, who starts his fourth season after replacing the legendary Mike Krzyzewski.
    Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The fund aims to support original game projects from the R&D phase with early-stage capital, offering Taiwanese development teams stable financial backing and professional guidance to transform their ideas into internationally competitive original IPs.
    Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Shawn Dahl, a space weather forecaster at the Space Weather Prediction Center, notes that an additional, even stronger CME is expected midday Wednesday — along with the chance to see the northern lights farther south than normal.
    Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 12 Nov. 2025
  • Members will be able to shop inside the warehouse during normal business hours.
    Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • If the Court decides against the President, the lucid performance of Neal Katyal, representing one set of challengers, must be credited with demonstrating that commonsense runs the other way.
    Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2025
  • By the parable-like broadness of its belief that love is the only thing lucid enough to see through an Orwellian assault on reality.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • There seemed to be a rational acceptance of the outcome.
    James McNicholas, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Therefore, the present work supports the belief that rational materials design at both the macro and atomic levels can solve long-standing challenges, according to a press release.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • That said, reasonable preparation can help even those familiar with international payment systems avoid high fees, long waits and general confusion.
    Jason Phillips, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2026
  • That’s understandable and reasonable, and fans have every right to express their fandom through frustration when teams don’t live up to expectations.
    Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Seven Heat players finished with double-digit points in another balanced effort.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is seen as having balanced ties between Washington and Tehran — Iraq’s two dominant patrons — while delivering a modicum of improved services and security.
    Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The Panthers are pretty darn healthy this time of year compared to many teams, and that has undoubtedly helped.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026
  • We’re trapped by recent history — the prior year’s numbers for healthy players are the top factor in every projection.
    Michael Salfino, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • At 48 percent off, the traveler-adored Matein Travel Laptop Backpack is an excellent, sensible gift that can function as both a personal item and an everyday sightseeing tote.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Understanding the absurdity of one trillion anything makes the $38 trillion US national debt that economists have been blathering on about for years look almost sensible.
    Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sane. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on sane

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