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 Read: Inside the fiasco at the National Security Council In saner times, under sounder leadership, changes to the intelligence community would perhaps be welcome. James Santel, The Atlantic, 8 May 2025 Try to resolve these issues in a sane, logical way. Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 27 Apr. 2025 Those things are what keep me emotionally sane—and therapy. Sam Reed, Glamour, 3 Apr. 2025 Elice and Martin lean on Ivy so hard to provide the drama that the other characters get away with looking relatively sane. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sane
Adjective
  • The threat of severe weather is conditional on the position of a warm front in the area and whether temperatures are too cool and stable for storms to develop.
    Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 23 May 2025
  • The component loadout is good for the price, with 16GB of RAM making multi-tasking smooth and stable.
    K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • In the months since Trump was reelected and returned to the White House, American doctors have shown skyrocketing interest in becoming licensed in Canada, where dozens more than normal have already been cleared to practice, according to Canadian licensing officials and recruiting businesses.
    Brett Kelman, NPR, 29 May 2025
  • In a revealing interview on Insight With Chris Van Vliet, Omos detailed his journey from assuming his rapid growth was normal to facing a critical health crisis.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • Quickly, however, through lucid details and retellings from T.S.O.L. singer Jack Grisham and the Nest’s owner Jerry Roach, things get sweaty, wild, and loud — setting the frenetic tone for the rest of the book.
    Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 May 2025
  • Another showed that people could reduce nightmares by essentially taking control of them in a lucid dream state.
    Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • And, of course, doing all these things in the presence of clients just shows a complete lack of rational thought.
    Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 29 May 2025
  • This is a state where each person settles on a strategy that feels rational given everyone else’s, even if the group as a whole is stuck in mediocrity.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • Under coach Manolo González, Espanyol has just placed a reasonable 14th in La Liga.
    Henry Flynn, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • Since 1984, Dell has been dominating the prebuilt PC and accessory market by making hardware at reasonable prices.
    K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • To keep your baby’s skin healthy, these wipes are pH balanced, made from 99% water, and are free of fragrances, parabens, dyes, and phenoxyethanol.
    Laura Lu, Parents, 22 May 2025
  • Just pair heat with gentle movement, hydration, and a balanced, fiber-rich diet.
    Caitlin Pagán, Verywell Health, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • Beyond the athletic competition, the Enhanced Games are making the grand case that safe use of PEDs at their events can trickle down to the general public, allowing people to live happier, healthier, and more productive lives.
    Sean Gregory, Time, 21 May 2025
  • Potential Risks Okra water is generally safe for most healthy adults.
    Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • The wilderness is not unkind to those who understand it and take sensible precautions.
    Ted Updike, Outdoor Life, 22 May 2025
  • The cars are an entry point for new buyers into the Porsche brand, cheaper than 911s and less powerful, but also just as well-made, and, for many, the most sensible Porsche one can buy brand new.
    Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 22 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sane. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

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