WORLDLY-WISE Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'worldly-wise' differ from other similar words?

The words blasé and sophisticated are common synonyms of worldly-wise . While all three words mean "experienced in the ways of the world," worldly-wise suggests a close and practical knowledge of the affairs and manners of society and an inclination toward materialism. // a worldly-wise woman with a philosophy of personal independence

Q: When can 'blasé' be used instead of 'worldly-wise'?

The meanings of blasé and worldly-wise largely overlap; however, blasé implies a lack of responsiveness to common joys as a result of a real or affected surfeit of experience and cultivation. // blasé travelers who claimed to have been everywhere

Q: Where would 'sophisticated' be a reasonable alternative to 'worldly-wise'?

In some situations, the words sophisticated and worldly-wise are roughly equivalent. However, sophisticated often implies refinement, urbanity, cleverness, and cultivation. // guests at her salon were usually rich and sophisticated

worldly-wise

adjective

ˈwərl(d)-lē-ˌwīz

Definition of worldly-wise next

as in sophisticated

having a wide and refined knowledge of the world especially from personal experience her long career as a globe-trotting journalist has made her very worldly-wise

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How does the adjective worldly-wise differ from other similar words?

The words blasé and sophisticated are common synonyms of worldly-wise. While all three words mean "experienced in the ways of the world," worldly-wise suggests a close and practical knowledge of the affairs and manners of society and an inclination toward materialism.

a worldly-wise woman with a philosophy of personal independence

When can blasé be used instead of worldly-wise?

The meanings of blasé and worldly-wise largely overlap; however, blasé implies a lack of responsiveness to common joys as a result of a real or affected surfeit of experience and cultivation.

blasé travelers who claimed to have been everywhere

Where would sophisticated be a reasonable alternative to worldly-wise?

In some situations, the words sophisticated and worldly-wise are roughly equivalent. However, sophisticated often implies refinement, urbanity, cleverness, and cultivation.

guests at her salon were usually rich and sophisticated

Examples of worldly-wise in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Heather Alicia Simms and Vanessa Bell Calloway are both sharp, witty, and poignant without sentimentality as the play’s two matriarchal figures, the formidable Missy Judson and Idella Landy, the wry, worldly-wise housekeeper who essentially raised Charlie. —

Sara Holdren, Vulture, 16 June 2024 Parroni does a good job of balancing the way that adolescents veer from experimenting with a worldly-wise cynicism and dipping back into the wildness of childhood. —

Catherine Bray, Variety, 9 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'worldly-wise.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.