Definition of wisdomnext
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as in science
a body of facts learned by study or experience the orientation meetings will provide the company's old hands with an opportunity to pass on their wisdom to the new employees

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun wisdom contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of wisdom are common sense, judgment, and sense. While all these words mean "ability to reach intelligent conclusions," wisdom implies sense and judgment far above average.

a leader of rare wisdom

In what contexts can common sense take the place of wisdom?

The words common sense and wisdom are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, common sense suggests an average degree of such ability without sophistication or special knowledge.

common sense tells me it's wrong

When is it sensible to use judgment instead of wisdom?

In some situations, the words judgment and wisdom are roughly equivalent. However, judgment implies sense tempered and refined by experience, training, and maturity.

they relied on her judgment for guidance

When might sense be a better fit than wisdom?

Although the words sense and wisdom have much in common, sense implies a reliable ability to judge and decide with soundness, prudence, and intelligence.

a choice showing good sense

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 wisdom Much of their perspective traces back to their mother, whose practical wisdom still guides them. Brittany Talarico, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026 Political wisdom holds that the party controlling the White House typically loses seats in the House in the midterm elections. Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026 The Bottom Line The connection between a tidy space and a calmer mind is more than folk wisdom. Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026 Anne Hathaway and Kelly Clarkson’s Unmatched Food Banter Hathaway wasn’t done sharing her wisdom. Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wisdom
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wisdom
Noun
  • The astronauts snapped thousands of photos during their historic pass around the moon, shot video and recorded their personal observations to give researchers insights based on the color sensitivity of the human eye.
    William Harwood, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
  • The team hopes the aircraft, beyond providing insight into wartime aviation, will impart wisdom regarding the real consequences of war during this time of global unrest.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Her writing on science and human behavior has appeared in the New Yorker, the New York Times, Time Magazine, the BBC and elsewhere.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
  • The Dutch, who are global leaders in flood science by necessity, since more than half their country is at risk of flooding, use a different approach.
    Dominic Boyer, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • China by contrast is beginning to look like a model of prudence and responsibility.
    Anatol Lieven, Twin Cities, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Austria retained possession of Venetia, and prudence dictated to the delegates at the Congress of Vienna that continued Austrian predominance in Italy should guarantee the peninsula against French influence.
    Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Select—and selective—five-star hotels are increasingly screening would-be guests for desirability rather than ability to pay.
    Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Amanda oozes pick-me energy, unable to build self-esteem from within, instead begging for validation through desirability, something that will always be a slippery slope for someone in a monogamous relationship.
    Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Devereaux receives a hero’s welcome back home, but his irrational and violent behavior threatens his new livelihood, as does the knowledge of his cowardice held by Capt.
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Those attacks are often carried out by non-Russian nationals for small amounts of money and without full knowledge of who the operations serve.
    Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The story is something of a palimpsest, with Romvari’s own perspective intertwining with the character’s and conveying a sense of being both inside and outside the action.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
  • What’s left is a false sense of urgency that will lead to a budget finalized mostly in the dark, with too many decisions made by staffers and lobbyists.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In both countries, investment outcomes depend heavily on national conditions, including the strength of capital markets, workforce, infrastructure, and the judiciousness of laws and regulations.
    SADEK WAHBA, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Charlie's Angels centered on three private investigators who, under orders from their enigmatic but never visible boss, Charlie Townsend, solved cases together using their wits and style.
    Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Use your quick wit when asking questions to avoid accidentally offending anyone.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Wisdom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wisdom. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.

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