unwise

adjective

ˌən-ˈwīz How to pronounce unwise (audio)
Definition of unwisenext
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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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 Here, however, the joke is that appearances can be deceiving — or to be more specific, that trying to act like a character in a movie is a reckless, unwise thing to do. — Elena Lazic, Variety, 26 June 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 For their part, do politicians and agency leaders like it when their pet projects are assessed by intelligence as unwise or infeasible? — Gregory F. Treverton, The Conversation, 8 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 See All Example Sentences for unwise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwise
  1. foolish
  2. inappropriate
  3. stupid
  4. silly
  5. imprudent
  6. dumb
  7. absurd
  8. improper
Adjective
  • All of this is to say that where liabilities are involved, don't be penny wise and pound foolish.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • As some of us will inevitably succumb to its grand and growing illusion, the rest may get the opportunity to find the key to understanding how so many others could be fooled and so foolish.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of foolish
Adjective
  • The home, along Norris Avenue in the northern Arden-Arcade area, has sparked opposition from neighbors and local officials who say its location near multiple schools and in the middle of a residential neighborhood is inappropriate.
    — Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Hochman said Flores simply could have taken notes on the inappropriate comments and turned them in to superiors or the independent inspector general, which strikes me as either sweetly naive or disingenuous.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of inappropriate
Adjective
  • The Dodge Durango Hellcat is the most accessible way to go stupid-fast in a three-row family car thanks to the Escalade V‘s high price tag.
    — Byron Hurd, The Drive, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Proudly stupid and surprisingly sweet, Dylan Meyer’s stoner buddy comedy is a tribute to friendship best enjoyed with your own ride-or-die by your side — joints optional.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of stupid
Adjective
  • But to make some generalization that all career women are psychotic because Glenn Close happened to be psychotic at the end of that movie is just silly.
    — Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Residents riding on two wheels in Overland Park might see some new silly signs along the city’s most popular paths and trails.
    — Taylor O'Connor August 12, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of silly
Adjective
  • The itinerants were all a bit peculiar, capable of making imprudent choices.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of imprudent
Adjective
  • Perhaps in writing it, Salinger was trying to negotiate whether his remarkable survival through some of the war’s worst gauntlets could be chalked up to dumb luck, or divine intervention.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Approaching the plant, there are no telltale dumb-bell silhouettes on the horizon signaling its presence.
    — Ramy Inocencio, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of dumb
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Mike Lindell, MyPillow CEO and amplifier of the most absurd of MAGA’s many election-denying claims, was defeated convincingly in his bid for the GOP nomination for governor.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Those black rectangles in Study for a Black Drawing are absurd attempts at the ideal void.
    — Aaron Fagan, Artforum, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of absurd
Adjective
  • Issues include elevated pH levels,and improper signage, filters and ladders.
    — Abby Dodge, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • According to the Graves County Sheriff's Office, Flores, an employee at Graves County Middle School, is accused of having an improper relationship with a minor student in the district.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of improper

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unwisdom
unwise
unwisely
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Cite this Entry

“Unwise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwise. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of unwise for Spanish Speakers

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