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Synonym Chooser

How is the word wise distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of wise are judicious, prudent, sage, sane, sapient, and sensible. While all these words mean "having or showing sound judgment," wise suggests great understanding of people and of situations and unusual discernment and judgment in dealing with them.

wise beyond his tender years

Where would judicious be a reasonable alternative to wise?

In some situations, the words judicious and wise are roughly equivalent. However, judicious stresses a capacity for reaching wise decisions or just conclusions.

judicious parents using kindness and discipline in equal measure

When can prudent be used instead of wise?

The synonyms prudent and wise are sometimes interchangeable, but prudent suggests the exercise of restraint guided by sound practical wisdom and discretion.

a prudent decision to wait out the storm

When is sage a more appropriate choice than wise?

While in some cases nearly identical to wise, sage suggests wide experience, great learning, and wisdom.

the sage advice of my father

When is it sensible to use sane instead of wise?

The meanings of sane and wise largely overlap; however, sane stresses mental soundness, rationality, and levelheadedness.

remained sane even in times of crises

In what contexts can sapient take the place of wise?

The words sapient and wise are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sapient suggests great sagacity and discernment.

the sapient musings of an old philosopher

When could sensible be used to replace wise?

The words sensible and wise can be used in similar contexts, but sensible applies to action guided and restrained by good sense and rationality.

a sensible woman who was not fooled by flattery

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 wise Giving a few examples of Vestiaire’s successful outreach, Virk pointed to its ban on select brands, which are primarily fast-fashion ones, for not measuring up sustainability-wise. Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2025 Dickerson added that a few of the iPhone shots were later used in ESPN’s recap of the game, with no one the wiser. Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 26 Sep. 2025 Despite such upsides, moderation is still wise. Daryl Austin, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025 The adaptation here is quite direct, plot-wise. Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wise
Adjective
  • At this point, a prudent President would have stayed silent.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
  • And for a program run by a nation-state or a billionaire that doesn't want to have a rocket blow up, this is prudent.
    Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • What’s Next UPenn has issued safety advice to students, including not wearing headphones, staying off of phones, and making sure to stay aware of surroundings.
    Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
  • In a rare move, aware of Chapman’s growing comfort in Boston, Breslow worked out an in-season extension for the veteran reliever.
    Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Her aptitude was unavoidable at the Fendi show, where top models holding desirable handbags, styled with joyful knits, eye-catching dresses and sporty separates, strutted past guests, including actors Hilary Duff, Naomi Watts and Bang Chan of the South Korean boy band Stray Kids.
    Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The combination of scarcity and eye appeal should help this remain a desirable card for years to come.
    Andrew Mackie, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The brand’s Deep Trance Corduroy Pants are also a cute option to wear with some boots and a pea or trench coat this season.
    Shawna Hudson, StyleCaster, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Best Toy for Imaginative Play Plant the seeds of creative play with this trio of plush toy veggies that are too cute to eat.
    Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • With it, Pierpaolo explores the space between fabric and body, where the air between them becomes a third dimension and a vital component of their construction to create bold and unexpected shapes.
    Alex Wynne, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Cowboy meatloaf is just like your regular weeknight dish, but with bold, smokey swagger.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • After establishing himself as a punk-band frontman with his group the Loved Ones — who reunited at 2024’s Sing Us Home — Hause has evolved into one of Americana music’s most insightful songwriters, tackling subjects from fleeting youth to school bullying.
    Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Featuring a wealth of interviews, Joan Bonfill’s intimate and insightful documentary portrait delves into the mysterious chemistry of creative collaboration.
    Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Then because the slow exposure times of the wet-plate process required everyone to stand stock-still for a second or so, each of his subjects became a knowing collaborator.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The piece culminates in Song of the Stars, which honors the presence of the stars as all-knowing, eternal elements.
    Dawn Giangiulio, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Away to Palace on Saturday, he was deployed on the left of a front three and given a free role to drift inside, a significant and rare tactical tweak from Slot which did not work in his side’s 2-1 loss.
    Andy Jones, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • So the tactical unit waited outside Leigh’s apartment at McAlpine Ridge and set the trap.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wise. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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