Synonyms of wise

wise

adjective

ˈwīz 

1

as in prudent

having or showing deep understanding and intelligent application of knowledge

a respected and wise old judge famous for her sensible rulings

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prudent
• insightful
• sagacious
• brilliant
• experienced
• clever
• perceptive
• sage
• intelligent
• discerning
• thoughtful
• smart
• keen
• scholarly
• quick
• sapient
• knowledgeable
• literate
• acute
• learned
• penetrating
• reflective
• bright
• astute
• shrewd
• perspicacious
• sharp
• cerebral
• nimble
• discriminating
• discriminative
• erudite
• contemplative
• percipient
• brainy
• quick-witted
• piercing
• clearheaded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unwise
• foolish
• dense
• dull
• stupid
• simple
• slow
• dumb
• obtuse
• silly
• purblind
• thoughtless
• unperceptive
• idiotic
• unintelligent
• imbecile
• moronic
• feebleminded
• witless
• imbecilic
• brainless
• woodenheaded
• undiscriminating
• idiotical
• slow-witted
• knuckleheaded

2

as in aware

having inside information

they fooled everyone else, but I'd heard them talking and was wise to their true intentions

Synonyms & Similar Words

• aware
• knowing
• alert
• informed
• alerted
• hip
• prepared
• warned
• ready
• in the know
• watchful
• observant
• vigilant
• attentive
• forewarned
• with-it
• observing
• clued (in)
• sharp
• sharp-eyed
• open-eyed
• plugged-in

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unaware
• unconscious
• oblivious
• uninformed
• unwitting
• unmindful
• unknowing
• heedless
• unprepared
• unwary
• unready

3

as in desirable

suitable for bringing about a desired result under the circumstances

selling the stock just before it plunged in value was a wise move on your part

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prudent
• desirable
• tactical
• advisable
• possible
• expedient
• politic
• judicious
• beneficial
• practical
• profitable
• useful
• advantageous
• feasible
• practicable
• utilitarian
• opportune
• seasonable
• timely
• opportunistic
• self-seeking

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unwise
• inadvisable
• imprudent
• impractical
• injudicious
• unprofitable
• inexpedient
• unfeasible
• untimely
• impolitic
• profitless
• inopportune
• unseasonable

4

as in cute

making light of something usually regarded as serious or sacred

you wouldn't be so wise if you were the one suffering from hemorrhoids

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cute
• smart
• playful
• flippant
• inappropriate
• flip
• facetious
• smart-ass
• pert
• rude
• smarty-pants
• mischievous
• wiseass
• smart-assed
• smart-alecky
• smart-aleck
• casual
• frivolous
• impudent
• sassy
• fresh
• waggish
• cocky
• cheeky
• impish
• disrespectful
• saucy
• roguish
• thoughtless
• impertinent
• glib
• flighty
• breezy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sincere
• earnest
• serious
• solemn
• sober
• grave
• somber
• sombre

5

as in bold

displaying or marked by rude boldness

she is competent, but she's always getting wise with the boss

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bold
• fresh
• blunt
• impudent
• sassy
• cocky
• cheeky
• brazen
• insolent
• saucy
• assertive
• audacious
• brassy
• cute
• defiant
• smart
• impertinent
• brash
• cocksure
• nervy
• brazen-faced
• bold-faced
• arch
• disrespectful
• forward
• obtrusive
• brassbound
• curt
• unabashed
• flippant
• shameless
• bluff
• flip
• unblushing
• mouthy
• facetious
• pert
• smart-alecky
• smart-aleck
• lippy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• timid
• meek
• humble
• proper
• modest
• shy
• retiring
• courteous
• polite
• respectful
• genteel
• deferential
• ashamed
• mousy
• gentle
• embarrassed
• mild
• mousey
• demure
• mannerly
• abashed
• inconspicuous
• unobtrusive
• blushing
• shamefaced

Synonym Chooser

How is the word wise distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of wise are judicious, prudent, sage, sane, sapient, and sensible. While all these words mean "having or showing sound judgment," wise suggests great understanding of people and of situations and unusual discernment and judgment in dealing with them.

wise beyond his tender years

Where would judicious be a reasonable alternative to wise?

In some situations, the words judicious and wise 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 can prudent be used instead of wise?

The synonyms prudent and wise are sometimes interchangeable, but prudent suggests the exercise of restraint guided by sound practical wisdom and discretion.

a prudent decision to wait out the storm

When is sage a more appropriate choice than wise?

While in some cases nearly identical to wise, sage suggests wide experience, great learning, and wisdom.

the sage advice of my father

When is it sensible to use sane instead of wise?

The meanings of sane and wise largely overlap; however, sane stresses mental soundness, rationality, and levelheadedness.

remained sane even in times of crises

In what contexts can sapient take the place of wise?

The words sapient and wise are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sapient suggests great sagacity and discernment.

the sapient musings of an old philosopher

When could sensible be used to replace wise?

The words sensible and wise can be used in similar contexts, but sensible applies to action guided and restrained by good sense and rationality.

a sensible woman who was not fooled by flattery

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of wise

Though a wise Nationals fan wore a baseball glove, the 373-foot drive was too hot for him. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 June 2025

Cho, as the perceptive and generous Jin, distracted from his own family troubles by the sudden flashes of Casey’s bright light, is wise and rejuvenated; disinterested admiration makes this man, who looks to be in his forties, nearly a teen-ager again. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 20 June 2025

Over the last two seasons, Alexander has missed 20 games due to injury, and adding him into a cornerback room that is already reeling from health issues would not be the wisest decision. —Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 June 2025

Which is wiser: Spending money on more firefighting resources after wildfires break out and absorbing the extraordinary cost of damages, or investing in technologies and training to prevent wildfires from happening in the first place? —Abhishek Singh, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025

Phrases Containing wise

• crack wise
• in no wise
• wise (up)
• wise guy