UNWISE Synonyms: 198 Similar and Opposite Words

unwise

adjective

ˌən-ˈwīz

Definition of unwise

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in stupid

not having or showing a deep understanding of something a stunningly unwise observer of the political scene

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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 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 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 That would be unwise, given its steady sales and good fit in its market. — New Atlas, 2 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 See All Example Sentences for unwise

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwise

Adjective

Comparing Young’s new deal to any extension for Davis would be a foolish exercise.

— Josh Robbins, New York Times, 30 June 2026
Further, Plato’s disdain for Gorgias, Antisthenes’ first teacher, and sophistry in general is clear; in the Platonic dialogue Gorgias, the titular character is made out to be rather foolish.

— Theodore McDarrah, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Definition of foolish

Adjective

In some countries, such as Japan, tipping can even be viewed as awkward, inappropriate, and unnecessary as patrons eat, pay the bill, and simply leave.

— Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Some commenters felt the post was cringeworthy and inappropriate.

— Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 5 July 2026

Definition of inappropriate

Adjective

Even when Romanzy goes off on how stupid and ugly Caleb is — and gossips that his parents abandoned him because something must be wrong with him — Mary goes along with it.

— Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 July 2026
Shockingly, the letter seems to be pushing for a return to standardized tests by, in effect, arguing that a growing percentage of their students are simply too stupid to succeed, no matter what professors do.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of stupid

Adjective

Sevigny holds firm to Tatum’s hard-to-love jerkishness, which helps smooth over the serious arguments that can turn inadvertently silly (and amplifies the purely silly ones).

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 July 2026
The post also included a sweet selfie with her two younger sons, with Mateo smiling widely and Ciro making a silly face for the camera.

— Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026

Definition of silly

Adjective

And this is Minsky’s point, that speculative excesses during euphoric, transformative periods result in imprudent financing, fragility, and instability.

— Hersh Shefrin, Forbes.com, 4 June 2026
Additional charges included 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.

— Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026

Definition of imprudent

Adjective

Space startup activity has been growing for years, with new companies hitting unicorn valuations at a pace that would have seemed absurd five years ago.

— Charlotte Kiang, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
That the Fendons don’t think to immediately tell their devastated adult son, Harry (Craig Roberts), that his dad is still alive is only the first delightfully absurd wrinkle in this mischievous black comedy.

— Judy Berman, Time, 8 July 2026

Definition of absurd

Adjective

Also requested were documents related to a lawsuit, recently settled for $135,000, claiming Kramer had given an improper assessment of a property and retaliated against an employee who complained.

— Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
Thus, the LLCs asserting objections to the alter ego findings as to the trusts were improper.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of improper

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unwisdom

unwise

unwisely

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“Unwise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwise. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of unwise

adjective

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