sage 1 of 2

sage

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sage distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of sage are judicious, prudent, sane, sapient, sensible, and wise. While all these words mean "having or showing sound judgment," sage suggests wide experience, great learning, and wisdom.

the sage advice of my father

When can judicious be used instead of sage?

The words judicious and sage can be used in similar contexts, but 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 sage?

Although the words prudent and sage have much in common, prudent suggests the exercise of restraint guided by sound practical wisdom and discretion.

a prudent decision to wait out the storm

When could sane be used to replace sage?

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

remained sane even in times of crises

When is sapient a more appropriate choice than sage?

In some situations, the words sapient and sage 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 sage?

While in some cases nearly identical to sage, 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 sage?

The synonyms wise and sage are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 sage
Noun
Purple is having a moment right now, but sage and yellow are also fabulous choices for springtime soirées. Madeleine Bokan Thares, Glamour, 11 Mar. 2025 The heart notes of sage and ambrette combine to create a unique sense of dry warmth, like driftwood and pebbles that have soaked up hours of sun on a still day. Emily Orofino, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2025 The fourth member of our party, Jim Spencer, was sage but silent. Larry Dablemont, Outdoor Life, 5 Mar. 2025 Pair with a hearty tajine that includes mangos, oranges, sage and rosemary as well as chunks of pork or beef. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sage
Adjective
  • Mid-soul-searching, a wise friend suggested something.
    Jed Brewer, Rolling Stone, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Getting struck by lightning might not sound like a very wise idea to us, but for one tropical tree species, an occasional zap is a good thing.
    Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Legal scholars have said there is little legal precedent for Trump's war on Big Law, which has created a chilling effect across the legal community, and most will certainly have a chilling effect on his opponents who will need legal representation against him.
    Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 29 Mar. 2025
  • On top of that, the Trump administration has detained some international scholars who have expressed support for Palestinian causes or criticized Israel over the war in Gaza.
    Tinbete Ermyas, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Sage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sage. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

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