1
as in foolish
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment
made the unwise decision to invest in a brand-new company
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2
as in inappropriate
showing poor judgment especially in personal relationships or social situations
an unwise urge to confide in total strangers
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3
as in stupid
not having or showing a deep understanding of something
a stunningly unwise observer of the political scene
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unwise
But for liberals to respond to this moment by acting as defenders of a disappearing status quo would be unwise.
—
Ivan Krastev, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2025
Carter compounded this weakness by surrounding himself with loyalists and outsiders, fatally unwise to the ways of Washington.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 2 Jan. 2025
The Trump administration would also be unwise to ignore global institutions, such as the World Trade Organization, as doing so would dramatically raise the likelihood of unbounded conflict.
—Scott Kennedy, Foreign Affairs, 26 Nov. 2024
The Santas are so popular that the tap-dancing number was reinstated about six years ago in response to audience demand after symphony officials made the unwise decision to drop the act from the event line-up.
—Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unwise 
Ivan Krastev, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2025
Carter compounded this weakness by surrounding himself with loyalists and outsiders, fatally unwise to the ways of Washington.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 2 Jan. 2025
The Trump administration would also be unwise to ignore global institutions, such as the World Trade Organization, as doing so would dramatically raise the likelihood of unbounded conflict.
—Scott Kennedy, Foreign Affairs, 26 Nov. 2024
The Santas are so popular that the tap-dancing number was reinstated about six years ago in response to audience demand after symphony officials made the unwise decision to drop the act from the event line-up.
—Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unwise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwise
Adjective
-
The bottom line: try not to be weather wise, climate foolish.—
Renee Winick,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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Trump's plan for redevelopment of Gaza Strip is both foolish and unworkable, not a great combination.—
Baltimore Sun Editorial Board,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Louden does and says things that are inappropriate in the film.—
Todd Gilchrist,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2025
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Sánchez's bold look sent the internet into a frenzy, with many people feeling the attire was inappropriate for the occasion.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The premise itself is both deeply stupid and incredibly clever (the sweet spot, really).—
Erin Strecker,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2025
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Some of the replies were the usual stupid snark on social media from people who thrive on being negative.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Today, Sophia Smith, a Colorado kid whose commute from Windsor and dedication to soccer makes my story look silly, is making more than $500,000 a year in her new contract with the Portland Thorns, and reports say her outside contracts and sponsorships are worth another $1.2 million.—
Megan Schrader,
The Denver Post,
9 Feb. 2025
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The way bacon is packaged in this country is silly.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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After the March 19 incident, Huger, 61, was charged with a DUI and DWI, negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.—
Stephanie Wenger,
People.com,
19 Dec. 2024
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Noem has been an imprudent governor of South Dakota on COVID-19 policy and other issues.—
George Liebmann,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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This gorgeous film’s premise is a simple, humanist, and not particularly dramatic one, of the type that the Italian neorealists treasured, but it’s been given an absurd, comic-romantic spin.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2025
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These absurd names and acronyms speak to both the cult-y side of the Eagans and to the ways that corporations keep trying to reinvent things, words included, that worked just fine as is.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Chris Lawson from Front Row Motorsports and Billy Plourde from Rick Ware Racing were dismissed for issues related to improper weights found on their respective cars.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
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Diaz was placed under arrest and transported to Troop G where he was charged with criminal attempt at third-degree robbery, second-degree breach of peace and improper parking on a limited access highway.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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He could not be seen, just as the little black boy was not seen, or was seen inaccurately, by the unperceptive and disdainful white boy.—
Louise Glück,
The New York Review of Books,
14 Jan. 2021
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Memory, conveyed by an unperceptive, mechanically flowing camera, seems disconnected from culture.—
Armond White,
National Review,
19 Nov. 2021
Thesaurus Entries Near unwise
Cite this Entry
“Unwise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwise. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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