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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of unwise
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.
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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
While Leicester’s unwise approach aided Newcastle, there was also appreciable improvement in every aspect of the home side’s play.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
Arizona’s desert may seem like an unwise location for a water-intensive industry.
—Austin Corona, The Arizona Republic, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unwise 
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
While Leicester’s unwise approach aided Newcastle, there was also appreciable improvement in every aspect of the home side’s play.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
Arizona’s desert may seem like an unwise location for a water-intensive industry.
—Austin Corona, The Arizona Republic, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unwise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwise
Adjective
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If the young shortstop is truly as good as gone, the Blue Jays would be foolish not to trade him.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
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While admirable, the plan to resettle the poor was foolish in retrospect as the Low Country soil is sandy and the weather too hot for farming.Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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In his Wednesday interview on French radio, French FM Barrot suggested that Musk's interventions in European nations' domestic politics were even more inappropriate because Musk is part of President-elect Trump's government-in-waiting.Tom Soufi Burridge, ABC News, 9 Jan. 2025
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John Anthony Ayala, of Colton and who previously worked at Inland Peak Performance and F1 Training in San Bernardino, sent inappropriate texts to the girl, according to a Jan. 3 news release by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Highland station.Paloma Chavez, Sacramento Bee, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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So ridiculous the referee initially had trouble believing that anyone could be so reckless & stupid.The Athletic UK Staff, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
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And there was no such thing ever as a bad decision or a stupid question.Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 4 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The Couple Next Door The Bottom Line PG-13 partner-swapping upstaged by silly thriller subplots.Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Jan. 2025
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Elon Musk is surrounded by almost constant controversy, but the latest scandal to rock the world’s richest man is surely the silliest—Musk is being accused of pretending to be good at video games.Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 14 Jan. 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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Lies, no matter how absurd, gain traction the more they're repeated.Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
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In yet another absurd Elon Musk news story, it's been revealed that people are betting on how many times the owner of X will post on his platform in a week.Jibin Joseph, PCMAG, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Duran had already been charged with improper conduct for his reaction to the red card.Callum Davis, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
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One of the most alarming findings comes when Matson shows gaps in the marble shower's corners, warning of potential water damage due to improper sealing.Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 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 20 Jan. 2025.
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