Synonyms of unwise

unwise

adjective

ˌən-ˈwīz 

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

• foolish
• stupid
• silly
• absurd
• insane
• mad
• crazy
• idiotic
• irrational
• unreasonable
• fool
• dumb
• ridiculous
• lunatic
• simple
• asinine
• nonsensical
• weak
• fatuous
• daft
• preposterous
• inept
• slow
• zany
• loony
• wacky
• unreasoning
• senseless
• witless
• weak-minded
• simpleminded
• out to lunch
• kooky
• nutty
• harebrained
• dippy
• cuckoo
• daffy
• brainless
• jerky
• sappy
• crackbrained
• wacko
• dotty
• barmy
• screwball
• loony tunes
• gaga
• thoughtless
• crackpot
• balmy
• batty
• unreasoned
• illogical
• moronic
• half-baked
• cockeyed
• tomfool
• featherheaded
• lunkheaded
• dull
• unintelligent
• half-witted
• clueless
• bubbleheaded
• ludicrous
• meshuga
• invalid
• imbecile
• obtuse
• dense
• feebleminded
• unsound
• thickheaded
• fallacious
• doltish
• opaque
• vacuous
• fruity
• dim
• laughable
• mindless
• dunderheaded
• dopey
• oafish
• brain-dead
• farcical
• ill-advised
• empty-headed
• lamebrain
• pinheaded
• dorky
• nonrational
• softheaded
• thick
• soft
• surd
• dim-witted
• gormless
• clownish
• knuckleheaded
• unconsidered
• airheaded
• slow-witted
• chuckleheaded
• buffoonish
• notional
• boobish
• birdbrained
• chowderheaded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• wise
• prudent
• sensible
• sound
• judicious
• sane
• reasonable
• intelligent
• clever
• smart
• bright
• sagacious
• valid
• logical
• rational
• sage
• sapient
• brainy
• well-advised

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

• inappropriate
• imprudent
• improper
• inadvisable
• stupid
• injudicious
• careless
• indiscreet
• tactless
• indelicate
• ill-advised
• undiplomatic
• dumb
• foolish
• idiotic
• silly
• brash
• thoughtless
• graceless
• moronic
• unseemly
• inconsiderate
• heedless
• unbecoming
• mindless
• indecorous
• uncivil
• nonsensical
• preposterous
• ill-mannered
• harebrained
• senseless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• wise
• prudent
• advisable
• judicious
• appropriate
• logical
• discreet
• sensible
• rational
• sound
• intelligent
• smart
• proper
• tactful
• civil
• becoming
• sane
• seemly
• decorous
• sage
• sapient

3

as in stupid

not having or showing a deep understanding of something

a stunningly unwise observer of the political scene

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stupid
• silly
• foolish
• dumb
• imperceptive
• unperceptive
• idiotic
• simple
• slow
• dense
• impercipient
• undiscriminating
• insentient
• thoughtless
• dull
• obtuse
• sluggish
• moronic
• unintelligent
• imbecile
• feebleminded
• thickheaded
• witless
• brainless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sagacious
• insightful
• perceptive
• acute
• discerning
• quick
• brilliant
• discriminating
• sage
• intelligent
• smart
• clever
• keen
• bright
• nimble
• shrewd
• learned
• percipient
• cerebral
• sapient
• scholarly
• astute
• perspicacious
• sharp
• erudite
• literate
• thoughtful
• reflective
• brainy
• quick-witted
• contemplative

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of unwise

With runners on first and second and one away, new reliever Tim Hill then made the unwise decision to throw to third after fielding a comebacker. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 10 May 2026

Some users agreed that enabling message previews on any kind of device—not just Apple’s—seemed unwise in light of 404 Media’s reporting. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2026

And given this context, Anthropic’s actions are viewed by many within Washington as not simply unwise, but actively antagonistic. — Tina Nguyen, The Verge, 17 June 2026

The economic reality is that, despite Putin’s tough guy bluster and despite higher oil and gas prices as well as the unwise relaxation of energy sanctions on Russia, Putin’s house of cards is still more vulnerable than many realize. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 23 May 2026