1
2
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

3
4

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 But with the effects of climate change becoming impossible to ignore, some preservationists are starting to more openly critique both the ethics and the wisdom of tapping into a pool of money created through the profits of the oil and gas industry. Michael R. Allen, The Conversation, 25 June 2025 Much of today's conversation focuses on raw materials and the geopolitical wisdom of reshaping supply chains, but overlooks the critical component of labor. Kristen Waggoner, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025 His wisdom was grounded in experience and offered without ego. Marc Benioff, Time, 24 June 2025 Through the workbook and app, Norman helps people organize their affairs and, most importantly, craft final messages of love, wisdom, and legacy. Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for wisdom
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wisdom
Noun
  • Combat human error with human insight and just enough AI.
    Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 1 July 2025
  • This is also a powerful month for spiritual insight.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • In such a situation, a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company is entering a quiet revolution in prescription botanical medicine, one that combines the best of nature with the rigor of pharmaceutical science.
    Jason Phillips, USA Today, 30 June 2025
  • Those videos can also serve the interests of science, as evidenced by the international team of researchers who analyzed 408 publicly available videos of sleeping cats to study whether the kitties showed any preference for sleeping on their right or left sides.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • In all negotiations, prudence cannot be sacrificed.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 18 June 2025
  • Waugh: Fundamentally, Newcastle want to significantly bolster Howe’s squad while maintaining financial prudence.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 12 June 2025
Noun
  • However, this is intrinsically linked to California’s economic dynamism, desirability and the high demand for its quality of life, amenities and progressive social environment.
    DeAndre Evans, Mercury News, 25 June 2025
  • While foods like cold cereal or bacon and eggs have dominated the standard American breakfast for decades, oatmeal continues to grow in popularity and desirability.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • And if not, there is also the self-evident truth that the knowledge is there.
    CBS News, CBS News, 29 June 2025
  • When the man couldn’t provide police with any identification, the officers took him into custody, a police source with knowledge of the case said.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • The clothes gave the sense that Jacobs and his team must have had a ball coming up with these creations.
    Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • This checklist should be thought both in the sense of a weekly or monthly planning and on the actual cleaning time itself.
    Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Opening pages show Toews’ characteristic wit and guile squaring off against extraordinary pain.
    Literary Hub July 1, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025
  • His latest album, 12th of June, released in 2022 on Verve/Forecast, are personal and characterized by Lovett’s singular wit, proving that the lessons of his early Texas singer-songwriter days remain an influence on his songwriting.
    Glenn Peoples, Billboard, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • Today’s digital-savvy consumers are seeking not only customization, but also expediency.
    Wolfgang Sixl, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Touting job creation for political expediency is one thing.
    Ashley Nunes, Boston Herald, 7 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wisdom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wisdom. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on wisdom

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!