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 There isn’t a single sane person in this movie, but the tremendous stunts, crossed with the film’s surprisingly easygoing atmosphere, have made this a car classic. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 June 2025 That, and staying sane and alive in the first U.S. civil war. Teddy Wayne june 10, Literary Hub, 10 June 2025 Batteries, in particular, have been locked down to a single supplier to keep costs sane. Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2025 Starting July 22, the focus shifts to wellness, logistics and the little habits that keep you sane (or not). Valerie Mesa, People.com, 22 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for sane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sane
Adjective
  • Younger people are lonelier – many of them have trouble finding stable friendships and are unable to find a romantic partner.
    Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Travelers are advised to consider alternative itineraries, focusing on stable routes and refundable connections, and to maintain thorough records of expenses and communication with the airline.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • As climate extremes become the new normal and other demand pressures rise, modernizing grid components with U.S.-made technology is essential.
    Shaun Walsh, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Your body then releases a hormone called insulin to help bring your blood sugar levels back down to normal.
    Aubrey Bailey, Verywell Health, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Yet one report from the LA Fire HEALTH Study struck me as surprisingly lucid.
    Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2025
  • That’s just as true of Trash Mountain, a remarkably lucid document of Seabird’s interior life.
    Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • Sir Charlie Mayfield, a stalwart of the UK business community and advisor to Liz Kendall, Work and Pensions Secretary, has recently been quoted in The Times stating that employers have a ‘rational’ fear of hiring disabled staff.
    Nancy Doyle, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • The irony was that Harlem’s numbers queen, a model of rational risk-taking, found herself in a love triangle with a dream-book mystic—then took to the newspapers to denounce Futtam’s obvious impostures.
    Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Regardless of what the future holds, Roman Anthony has set himself and his family up for life, and the Red Sox have locked in yet another piece of their future at a reasonable rate.
    Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • There’s a reasonable fear, especially considering what happened the last time Cunningham mentioned the trend, that this would only attract additional misogynistic attacks.
    Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Despite the presentation of a balanced budget containing no loan for the upcoming Chicago Public Schools academic year after months of debates over a multi-million dollar budget deficit, the entirety of the Chicago Board of Education is not sold on the $10.25 billion plan.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Chair of the Budget Committee, helping deliver balanced budgets that invest in safety, housing, infrastructure, and services while maintaining the lowest tax rate among NC’s largest cities.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Eating more magnesium-rich foods, like beans, can help keep cortisol at a healthy level.
    Jillian Kubala, Health, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Even those with strong revenue or healthy margins fall apart during due diligence or fail to attract serious buyers.
    Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • So Bull does what any sensible, testicle-loving mutt would do.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Leeds United & Burnley A Championship title, 100 points, sensible owners, Elland Road redevelopment plans and seven new signings worth around £75million ($101m) before the end of July.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sane. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

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