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

Commanders should seek positional advantages without exhausting their soldiers, manipulate the enemy’s movements when possible, and recognize when circumstances make pursuit or attack unwise. — Ethan Teekah, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 2026

Like Shylock, Kaftan is persuaded by a Gentile into making an unwise and ultimately dangerous investment. — Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026

Skeptics warn that fast-tracking unconventional technology through safety reviews is an unwise risk. — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 6 Sep. 2026

But in a season with so much on the line, the Jets would be unwise to have Klubnik be the first player off the bench if Smith were to suffer an injury. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026