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 Those things are what keep me emotionally sane—and therapy. Sam Reed, Glamour, 3 Apr. 2025 Elice and Martin lean on Ivy so hard to provide the drama that the other characters get away with looking relatively sane. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025 Anderson finished the seventh at 108 pitches, a great outing that should have ended his day in a sane and rational world. Keith Law, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025 After more than 19 hours, the jury ultimately agreed that Fiorenza was sane at the time of the murder and deserved to be executed. Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sane
Adjective
  • Having stabilized their bank balances and secured pay rises, consumers are now spending in anticipation of a more stable interest rate and price environment, according to the economist.
    Ganesh Rao,Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 23 May 2025
  • The component loadout is good for the price, with 16GB of RAM making multi-tasking smooth and stable.
    K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • His average driving distance has been in his normal range, 324.8 yards for the first two rounds.
    Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
  • Republished on May 17 with additional advice and resources on defending against these dangerous messages, where normal detection is impossible.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • Liz joins an experiment that revives emotions via lucid memories.
    John Hopewell, Variety, 8 May 2025
  • Psychologists slowly came around, conducting research and tapping into patients’ lucid dreaming capacity for therapeutic purposes.
    Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • What’s more, behavioral economics suggests that our deviations from rational, deliberate behavior has some predictable structure.
    Jens Ludwig, Time, 15 May 2025
  • The ban on water fluoridation by the Florida Legislature (SB 700) and the outspoken views of the state surgeon general are the antithesis of rational public health measures.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 4 May 2025
Adjective
  • This level needs to be reasonable and proportionate to the risk.
    Mark Littler, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • The Supreme Court sent the case back to the lower court to reconsider whether the shooting was reasonable under the lengthier timeframe that must be considered.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • To keep your baby’s skin healthy, these wipes are pH balanced, made from 99% water, and are free of fragrances, parabens, dyes, and phenoxyethanol.
    Laura Lu, Parents, 22 May 2025
  • Just pair heat with gentle movement, hydration, and a balanced, fiber-rich diet.
    Caitlin Pagán, Verywell Health, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • Change the water every day or two to keep the roots healthy.
    The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 May 2025
  • Potential Risks Okra water is generally safe for most healthy adults.
    Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • The cars are an entry point for new buyers into the Porsche brand, cheaper than 911s and less powerful, but also just as well-made, and, for many, the most sensible Porsche one can buy brand new.
    Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 22 May 2025
  • The wilderness is not unkind to those who understand it and take sensible precautions.
    Ted Updike, Outdoor Life, 22 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sane. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sane

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!