Definition of sanenext

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

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 sane So there are positives, and with the situation that's happen, being able to look at all the positives will kind of keep you sane. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 Mar. 2026 That scene was about Yasmin slowly planting seeds in other people’s minds that Henry isn’t a sane, safe, reliable source. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026 In court, Mickey grasps at straws, trying to clear his name, and in jail, the usually calm, cool and collected attorney is struggling to stay sane. Pamela Avila, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026 Hours go by because people come over, and the sane ones go home, and some come back. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sane
Adjective
  • Officials said Kuwait’s electricity and water systems remain stable and contingency plans had been activated to ensure continued supply, according to the statement.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Officials said injury statuses ranged from stable to critical.
    Garrett Behanna, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The mall resumed operations as normal following the shooting, as police determined there was no threat to the general public.
    Andrew Adeolu, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Waymo vehicles also can take 30 minutes to wait for and twice as long as a normal ride.
    Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Its elegant, rounded boxes for column and row numbers and lucid formula-building bar are wonders to behold.
    Edward Mendelson, PC Magazine, 19 Mar. 2026
  • But his lucid, sensitive evocations of Blume’s suburban girlhood should put the question of his ability to rest.
    Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • If more teams have lottery access and the worst teams don’t gain much by being the worst, then more franchises can justify late-season losing as a rational move.
    C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Condemning Israel for its treatment of Palestinian dreams and aspirations is a rational choice.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The Marlins under this owner have no reasonable way out of this rut of building on the cheap toward a future that never gets here.
    Greg Cote Updated March 27, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Claims against the bank of negligent failure to prevent physical harm and reasonable care as a banking institution, and aiding and abetting trafficking violations in the initial complaint, were dismissed by Rakoff in mid-February.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The potatoes were well balanced in their level of fried-ness, and the English muffin was nice and fluffy.
    Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register, 1 Apr. 2026
  • But in the 1980s, the Communist Party developed a system of government that orchestrated regular transitions of power, balanced rival interests, encouraged policy discussion, and implemented bold economic reforms.
    Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • One of the world’s five Blue Zones, Nicoya is known for its high number of centenarians whose longevity is often attributed to their healthy, community-centric lifestyle.
    Meghan Palmer, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2026
  • The public can also report sightings of healthy animals by clicking here.
    Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Big horizons meet daily realities as the instinctive Moon explores your pensive 9th house and squares Jupiter in your sensible 6th house.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Scientifically speaking, the most sensible thing is to conduct further research to investigate the extent to which a factor such as gender influences efficacy and whether there may be other influencing factors.
    Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 31 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sane. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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