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 It’s made all these jobs impossible for any sane human being to do. Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 8 Jan. 2025 The double William of Paterson, New Jersey helped keep us sane though our teachers went crazy over that wheelbarrow. Jennifer Harlan, New York Times, 13 Dec. 2024 Wanderlust seems saner, more measured, than dromomania. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 13 Jan. 2025 Otherwise, don’t expect a sane immigration policy that will meet the needs of manufacturing, construction, agriculture and health care. Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 6 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for sane 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sane
Adjective
  • View Comments While the US economy has been solid and financial markets stable as a whole, the BOJ must be vigilant to uncertainties surrounding US policy conduct, the report said.
    Reuters, CNN, 24 Jan. 2025
  • The shows provide a stable haven for pharmaceutical advertisers, still one of the biggest supporters of linear TV.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The director had a charmed and normal childhood, by all accounts; he was born in Montana but moved all over the country as a kid, living in Washington, North Carolina, Idaho, and Virginia at various points.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Having something so violent rip you from your normal can leave a person feeling lost, even violated.
    Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Over the past nine years, he had been evaluated at least nine times — only twice, court records show, was he judged at least temporarily lucid enough to stand trial.
    Kallie Cox, Charlotte Observer, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Penned in lucid moments, before morphine and hospice care silenced his thoughts to all but himself—the Last List takes one, hand in hand, on a last stroll back to the bygone days of an ingenious Catholic boy, a mill worker's striving son, for a final visit to beloved Lowell.
    Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • For purely political purposes, these movie lists oppose rational and aesthetic responses.
    Armond White, National Review, 17 Jan. 2025
  • The rational for locating in Belgium are to support Europe university teams as well as incubate talent and resources for progressing physical AI in Europe.
    Sabbir Rangwala, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The moves alienated longtime shoppers who valued Kohl’s for its quality clothes at reasonable prices.
    Maria Sole Campinoti, CNN, 27 Jan. 2025
  • All of this could have been avoided with any number of reasonable, common-sense approaches to addressing homebuilding on a statewide basis.
    Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Orange County Register, 27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Like a steady flow of water helps sustain life, balanced kidneys promote gentleness, calmness and wisdom.
    Joseph Sudhip, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Multivitamins offer little benefit for most healthy people who eat a balanced diet.
    Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • However, being taller and more muscular comes with greater evolutionary costs, as a male must eat a lot and also be physically healthy both during childhood and as an adult to achieve and maintain such traits.
    Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
  • He’s missed some time with injury, but he’s also been a healthy scratch a few times this season.
    Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Another sensible name is Seahawks defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator Karl Scott, who’s been with the Seahawks since 2022.
    Vic Tafur, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
  • The actuarial table that made such a decision sensible—and profitable—existed inside Franklin’s head, right next to all those ideas that ended up in the Declaration of Independence.
    Scott Z. Burns, airmail.news, 18 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near sane

Cite this Entry

“Sane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sane. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

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