1
as in foolish
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment
made the unwise decision to invest in a brand-new company
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inappropriate
showing poor judgment especially in personal relationships or social situations
an unwise urge to confide in total strangers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stupid
not having or showing a deep understanding of something
a stunningly unwise observer of the political scene
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 unwise
Guesses are around $30-40 as pulling a trigger on a full $70 live game would be…unwise.
—
Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Because its only viable path lies in coalition with others, Washington would be particularly unwise to go it alone in a complex global competition.
—Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 10 Apr. 2025
The draconian and reckless cuts to EPA, an effective agency with a record of huge successes, are unwise and extremely shortsighted.
—Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
With little interest among Americans for acquiring the territory, Rogers said the Trump administration would be unwise to continue its talk about increasing the U.S. military presence without agreement with allies.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unwise
Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Because its only viable path lies in coalition with others, Washington would be particularly unwise to go it alone in a complex global competition.
—Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 10 Apr. 2025
The draconian and reckless cuts to EPA, an effective agency with a record of huge successes, are unwise and extremely shortsighted.
—Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
With little interest among Americans for acquiring the territory, Rogers said the Trump administration would be unwise to continue its talk about increasing the U.S. military presence without agreement with allies.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unwise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwise
Adjective
-
And this is not a story of corporate greed run amok, because Walmart would be foolish to try to gouge its customers at a time when economic anxiety is high (more on that in a moment).—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
16 May 2025
-
Peters said the training from Wayne State's Institute of Gerontology has helped credit union employees to better frame probing questions that will get a positive response without making members feel foolish.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
Screenshot inappropriate gun marketing content and circulate it.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
9 May 2025
-
Originally a producer on the project, he was fired for cause after at least one incident of inappropriate behavior on Runner that included bullying and yelling at crew.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
In one sense, this isn’t an entirely stupid proposition.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
3 May 2025
-
Vel rails against the offender, saying her lover was the kind of warrior the Ghor rebels are trying to be and that her loss is both incalculable and stupid.—
Noel Murray,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Using the Graham Norton hologram to tell us that the Earth was turned to ash on May 24th, 2025 is just the right kind of silly for this show.—
Ryan Woodrow,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 May 2025
-
Eurovision is still too much of a silly spectacle for some, even with JJ in it.—
Alex Marshall,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
Adjective
-
She was officially charged with a DUI and DWI, negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.—
Esther Kang,
People.com,
28 Apr. 2025
-
However, in almost one-third of states, including California and New York, annually spending more than 7% of an endowment’s fair market value, measured by a three-year average, is presumed to be imprudent.—
Ellen P. Aprill,
The Conversation,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The biggest change, however, has been in fly ball frequency - his fly ball rate is now an absurd 50.0%, higher than any 2024 MLB regular.—
Tony Blengino,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
-
What else can be said about Judge’s absurd start to this season?—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
Adjective
-
Most of the improper payments in 2022 were due to unintentional mistakes by state workers or households, rather than intentional fraud, according to an analysis of the data by the left-leaning Center for Budget and Policy Priorities.—
Stephen Fowler,
NPR,
9 May 2025
-
And while ear piercing is generally safe, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) lists several adverse outcomes to improper piercing and piercing care, such as infection at the piercing site, bloodstream infections, allergic reactions, cuts and tears, and keloid formation.—
Taylor Grothe,
Parents,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
He could not be seen, just as the little black boy was not seen, or was seen inaccurately, by the unperceptive and disdainful white boy.—
Louise Glück,
The New York Review of Books,
14 Jan. 2021
-
Memory, conveyed by an unperceptive, mechanically flowing camera, seems disconnected from culture.—
Armond White,
National Review,
19 Nov. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Unwise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwise. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share