Synonym Chooser

How is the word sane distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of sane are judicious, prudent, sage, sapient, sensible, and wise. While all these words mean "having or showing sound judgment," sane stresses mental soundness, rationality, and levelheadedness.

remained sane even in times of crises

When might judicious be a better fit than sane?

In some situations, the words judicious and sane 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 is prudent a more appropriate choice than sane?

While the synonyms prudent and sane 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

In what contexts can sage take the place of sane?

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

the sage advice of my father

When is it sensible to use sapient instead of sane?

Although the words sapient and sane have much in common, sapient suggests great sagacity and discernment.

the sapient musings of an old philosopher

When could sensible be used to replace sane?

The meanings of sensible and sane largely overlap; however, sensible applies to action guided and restrained by good sense and rationality.

a sensible woman who was not fooled by flattery

Where would wise be a reasonable alternative to sane?

The synonyms wise and sane 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

Examples 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 sane There are also octave shifter and sustain pedal ports on the rear of the device, a USB-C jack for charging and transmitting MIDI, and a 3.5mm headphone jack to keep everyone else in the home sane when practicing. Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 25 Sep. 2024 Sol takes this as any rational, sane adult should: as a threat. Nick Caruso, TVLine, 9 Oct. 2024 Washington is producing excellent Bordeaux varietals and this wine is a fine example of that—and at a much saner price than most. Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024 Driving the news: After three weeks of testimony, 12 jurors are deciding if Alissa — who declined to testify — was sane, intended to kill and understood his actions were wrong at the time of the shooting. Alayna Alvarez, Axios, 20 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sane 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sane
Adjective
  • Police said in the statement that Thomas was taken to a local hospital and was reported to be in stable condition.
    Nicole Acosta, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
  • The 26-year-old was transported to a local hospital and reportedly is in stable condition, according to Dallas PD, who had officers arrive to the scene at approximately 5:52 pm CT.
    Michael Saponara, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The Sponsor has agreed to pay all normal operating expenses of the Trust out of the Sponsor’s management fee, which is 0.20% per annum of the Trust’s ether holdings.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
  • Keep in mind that these layer transitions are gradual, not abrupt; the transition from normal hydrogen gas to liquid hydrogen and then to metallic hydrogen happens slowly and smoothly.
    Benjamin Roulston, Discover Magazine, 7 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • With his understanding and lucid analysis of great-power politics, Hal, a professor at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, offers invaluable insights to everyone committed to deterring aggression and maintaining peace.
    John Cornyn, TIME, 2 Oct. 2024
  • No wonder this piece came out sounding lucid as chamber music, as though each line had been teased apart and individually combed.
    Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • But the curve also has a second family of rational points.
    Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 11 Nov. 2024
  • It can also be made more orderly, rational, and humane.
    Eladio B. Bobadilla / Made by History, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • So, the authors should consider plug-in hybrids as a reasonable interim step, while chargers move consumers to adapt to all-electric vehicles when more charging alternatives are available.
    Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
  • The legal standard is something called reasonable certainty of no harm.
    Jonquilyn Hill, Vox, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Running back LeQuint Allen rushed for 109 yards and two TDs giving Syracuse a balanced attack that was 4 for 4 on fourth-down conversions and didn’t punt until the fourth quarter.
    Jeff Faraudo, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
  • Community Trust Bancorp continues to focus on maintaining a balanced position between interest rate sensitive assets and liabilities to manage interest rate risk effectively.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Studies have shown the positive effect that strength training can have on healthy bone development in kids, leading to a lower likelihood of fractures.
    Discover Magazine, Discover Magazine, 15 Nov. 2024
  • Supergirl started as a CBS series with a healthy budget and a sunshiney Devil Wears Prada–esque story about Kara Danvers (Melissa Benoist), Superman’s cousin, paying her dues as a journalist and fledgling superhero.
    Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Style it with sheer black tights and knee-high boots for the office, or pair it with a jean jacket and sensible sneakers for a busy weekend of fall activities.
    Emily Weaver, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024
  • The decision to bench Richardson is somewhat sensible in the short term.
    Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near sane

Cite this Entry

“Sane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sane. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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