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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stupid
not having or showing a deep understanding of something
a stunningly unwise observer of the political scene
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unwise
An unwise subject replied in terms of moral absolutes—No way!
—
Meghan O’Gieblyn, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Their wide receiver corps isn’t going to scare many teams and likely needs reinforcements next offseason, but giving a 30-year-old receiver like McLaurin $30 million a year seems unwise even with plenty of cap space to burn.
—Chad Graff, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
His moves on vaccines have been aggressive and unwise, especially the recent decision to cancel all funding for further mRNA vaccine research.
—Ross Douthat, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2025
Most importantly, Tagovailoa didn’t make any unwise plays such as holding the ball too long or running for a first down, two things that have led to injuries in previous seasons.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unwise
Meghan O’Gieblyn, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Their wide receiver corps isn’t going to scare many teams and likely needs reinforcements next offseason, but giving a 30-year-old receiver like McLaurin $30 million a year seems unwise even with plenty of cap space to burn.
—Chad Graff, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
His moves on vaccines have been aggressive and unwise, especially the recent decision to cancel all funding for further mRNA vaccine research.
—Ross Douthat, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2025
Most importantly, Tagovailoa didn’t make any unwise plays such as holding the ball too long or running for a first down, two things that have led to injuries in previous seasons.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unwise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwise
Adjective
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But giving someone as historically great as Derrick Henry added motivation, certainly may prove to be a foolish decision from Delpit.—
Reice Shipley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
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There’s highly capable support in the cast from the unfailingly superb Vázquez, emanating gravitas, humanity and barely contained anger at the increasing frequency and spread of wildfires and the foolish refusal of those in power to address the growing threat.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Some of my friends were pressured to send inappropriate pictures, contacted by strangers, and exposed to content way beyond our age.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
12 Sep. 2025
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Businesses/nominees cannot obtain votes by any fraudulent or inappropriate means.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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And when Sam cooks up a truly stupid scheme to make some quick cash, there’s little doubt a heavy like Mickey isn’t going to like it.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
12 Sep. 2025
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There's a fine line between stupid and clever, indeed.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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There’s no denying that catfish noodling is an absurd sport.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
11 Sep. 2025
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Barely any other media in recent times has given me an instant shock of glee or revulsion like this absurd anarcho-cartoon being stretched and squeezed to its most grotesque and wholesome clickbait limits.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Systemic risk: The combination of low interest rates and an expanding economy encourages speculation and imprudent risk taking.—
Hersh Shefrin,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Huger was ultimately 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.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Mea Culpa is Perry at his most knowingly silly, and a throwback to erotic thrillers of decades past.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
14 Sep. 2025
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For every community of mass-shooter fandoms, there is another that is silly, joyous, productive, or totally harmless.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Malik Heath’s insane toe-tap grab on the sideline, which was reversed after video replay review, was a massive 37-yard swing for the Packers during the drive.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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None of their other work, arguably, has had the seismic impact or inspires the same insane quotability as This Is Spinal Tap.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But when attendees arrived on the remote island, there was little food — except, famously, cheese sandwiches — along with tents for housing and no actual music performances as the festival crumbled, with McFarland blaming improper infrastructure.—
Conor Murray,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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Citizens said its policy didn’t cover some of the property damaged by the leak and said other damage was due to wear and tear and improper installation.—
Mario Ariza,
ProPublica,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unwise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwise. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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