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
After a thorough dusting, you may be tempted to call it a day and give up on the rest of the cleaning process, but that is unwise.
—
Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2026
Timing is all wrong The tax issue is both untimely and unwise.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2026
More than a social media flash Mamdani galvanized young voters in 2025 with ambitious – opponents say unwise – promises to freeze rents, end fares for public buses, raise the minimum wage and provide free child care in one of the world's most expensive cities.
—Dan Morrison, USA Today, 1 Jan. 2026
The next Colombian administration would be unwise to advocate for a mere return to the status quo ante, which Trump clearly views as having benefited Colombia more than the United States.
—Kevin Whitaker, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unwise
Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2026
Timing is all wrong The tax issue is both untimely and unwise.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2026
More than a social media flash Mamdani galvanized young voters in 2025 with ambitious – opponents say unwise – promises to freeze rents, end fares for public buses, raise the minimum wage and provide free child care in one of the world's most expensive cities.
—Dan Morrison, USA Today, 1 Jan. 2026
The next Colombian administration would be unwise to advocate for a mere return to the status quo ante, which Trump clearly views as having benefited Colombia more than the United States.
—Kevin Whitaker, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unwise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwise
Adjective
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The idea of giving that over to a robot seems foolish [and] boring.—
Melinda Newman,
Billboard,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Black people cast and produced to look stupid and foolish as standard operating procedure.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
There are significant worries that AI can readily go off the rails or otherwise dispense unsuitable or even egregiously inappropriate mental health advice.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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In April 2025, a tipster submitted an online report alleging an inappropriate relationship between Gilkey-Meisegeier and the student.—
Alec Johnson,
jsonline.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
What happens, though, when those excesses transcend the merely stupid, the merely unjust, to become existential?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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People who approve of ICE’s actions aren’t necessarily stupid or evil.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Huw just waiting for him without involving the police or having really any plan whatsoever is just as silly.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Wain was joined by stars Ken Marino (who co-wrote the film), Zoey Deutch, John Slattery, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Sabrina Impacciatore, and Ben Wang to reminisce about making their unapologetically silly comedy.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
If a cost is found imprudent, it is rejected.—
Rory M. Christian,
New York Daily News,
24 Jan. 2026
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That’s imprudent, because the Arctic’s climate is changing more rapidly than anywhere on Earth.—
Paul Bierman,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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For the young generation of digital natives navigating AI anxiety around keeping up with peers using the technology and AI displacing them from jobs, the fear of the technology making people dumber is dominant.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
30 Jan. 2026
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This lens helps explain everything from investing mistakes and overspending to why some people quietly build wealth while others blow money in ways that, from the outside, look spectacularly dumb.—
Jasna Hodžić,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
These politicians who are in their 80s and now 90s continuing to run for office is absurd.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
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Rates are soaring at absurd levels, but what’s worse is what many homeowners are getting in return — less coverage, fewer payouts and other negative effects.—
Dave Lieber,
Dallas Morning News,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Nanita also faces charges of improper disposal of a body, fraud and larceny.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
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In addition to the speeding charge, Richardson was cited for following and flashing at vehicles too closely as well as making improper lane changes.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unwise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwise. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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