Synonym Chooser

How is the word judicious distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of judicious are prudent, sage, sane, sapient, sensible, and wise. While all these words mean "having or showing sound judgment," judicious stresses a capacity for reaching wise decisions or just conclusions.

judicious parents using kindness and discipline in equal measure

When would prudent be a good substitute for judicious?

While the synonyms prudent and judicious are close in meaning, prudent suggests the exercise of restraint guided by sound practical wisdom and discretion.

a prudent decision to wait out the storm

Where would sage be a reasonable alternative to judicious?

The words sage and judicious can be used in similar contexts, but sage suggests wide experience, great learning, and wisdom.

the sage advice of my father

When could sane be used to replace judicious?

While in some cases nearly identical to judicious, sane stresses mental soundness, rationality, and levelheadedness.

remained sane even in times of crises

When is sapient a more appropriate choice than judicious?

In some situations, the words sapient and judicious are roughly equivalent. However, sapient suggests great sagacity and discernment.

the sapient musings of an old philosopher

When might sensible be a better fit than judicious?

The words sensible and judicious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sensible applies to action guided and restrained by good sense and rationality.

a sensible woman who was not fooled by flattery

In what contexts can wise take the place of judicious?

Although the words wise and judicious have much in common, wise suggests great understanding of people and of situations and unusual discernment and judgment in dealing with them.

wise beyond his tender years

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 judicious So Bell's instincts were judicious, even if that meant that Sunday's 2025 Screen Actors Guild Awards (which Bell is both hosting and among the nominees) was canceled. Dave Quinn, People.com, 18 Feb. 2025 Adding an onion, a few cloves of garlic, a spoonful of peppercorns, and a bay leaf won’t hurt, but be judicious with seasonings. Alexis Deboschnek, Bon Appétit, 5 Feb. 2025 The answer: by gaining access to the Quintanilla family’s personal archives and forging judicious thematic threads with the material — much of which has never been made public before. Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025 The book was, beneath its judicious and even-handed surface, biased against Didion to an outrageous degree, and the book was, behind its admiring posture toward her, violent toward her. Lili Anolik, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for judicious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for judicious
Adjective
  • People have been dreaming about intelligent humanoid robots since the introduction of the beloved family maid Rosey on The Jetsons in the early 1960s.
    Jim McGregor, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Beyond being intelligent, ethical, musically talented, and dedicated; Emily is a true arts-passionate individual.
    Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • To be sure, there are always inefficiencies in any organization, especially one as large as the US government, and removing inefficiencies is prudent.
    Kumar Mehta, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • The Corleones might suggest keeping friends close and enemies closer — a rule of thumb that proved prudent for Costello as well.
    Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Cunard's Queen Anne cruise ship advised passengers to remain cautious while the ship passed through a piracy-prone area in Southeast Asia, according to a Thursday, March 13, TikTok.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025
  • The organization has become more cautious about backing properties that are underinsured, dilapidated, or lack sufficient reserves for maintenance.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Here, Forbes Coaches Council members share wise strategies for tactfully and strategically highlighting your contributions at work.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Speaking of family, Nivola’s parents gave him some wise advice.
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • There are many discreet areas and each one has been thoughtfully decorated.
    Richard Kestenbaum, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Elevated by fluted panels and a duo of discreet storage drawers, its look is polished enough to nimbly complement non-office settings.
    Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • TCAs work about as well as SSRIs/SNRIs but can sometimes cause less desirable side effects, such as dry mouth, sleepiness, weight gain, and trouble urinating.6 Summary Benadryl is an antihistamine medication taken to treat mild to severe allergic reactions.
    Alex Yampolsky, Verywell Health, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The covetable object, and the desirable image, has its own hidden price.
    Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • They’re required to see the race from inside the car (immersed in the on-track action), but also from the pits (making tactical adjustments) and from the operations center (where analysts interpret vast streams of data).
    John Cairney, Sportico.com, 22 Mar. 2025
  • In contrast, Barca and Atleti have recognizable tactical strategies.
    Brett Koremenos, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Judicious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/judicious. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.

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