Definition of wisenext
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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

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 wise Why this game between two teams whose meetings often fail to live up to the hype and who, entertainment-wise during 2025-26, have hardly been thrill-a-minute? Oliver Kay, New York Times, 1 May 2026 That number dropped sharply last year as Ober dealt with a hip issue that plagued him throughout the season and contributed to the most difficult season of his career results-wise. Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 1 May 2026 Policymakers, especially here in Tokyo, would be wise to accept more foreign workers to plug labor gaps, but that’s not a durable answer on its own. Catherine Thorbecke, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026 Even where restrictions don't apply, growing your own produce can be done in a water-wise way, even in a thirsty desert. ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wise
Adjective
  • This will require implementing policies that support prudent spending, rather than undermining it.
    Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
  • Some pilots say that — once again — waiting, and keeping both engines running, might have been the most prudent move.
    James Glanz, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Adjective
  • The four set lines enforce my preferred tab orthodoxy—four spaces, with tab and backspace both aware of this.
    Lee Hutchinson, ArsTechnica, 6 May 2026
  • Upon further investigation, police became aware of earlier reports as well as an online video, which went viral on Facebook, showing the beaver attacking other people in the park.
    Adam England, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
Adjective
  • Lindell’s lab, funded by MARINER, focused on improving crop yield by selectively breeding kelp with desirable qualities — such as nonreproductive capabilities to prevent interbreeding with wild kelp — so that, down the line, farmers could scale up their kelp production.
    ABC News, ABC News, 6 May 2026
  • For one thing, Cora figures to be in demand and the Phillies, an old team in decline with not much of a farm system, don’t figure to be a particularly desirable destination.
    Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 2 May 2026
Adjective
  • The clothes were cute, though, if not a little costumey.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 1 May 2026
  • This adorable cloud pillow shows Harry’s iconic lightning bolt scar and is a seriously cute addition to any fan’s collection of memorabilia.
    Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 1 May 2026
Adjective
  • Grant was compelled to celebrate the nation’s hundredth anniversary just as its boldest experiment in democracy to date was being dismantled.
    Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • However, with form improving, fixtures aligning, and motivation sky-high, their players could be exactly the kind of bold picks that make all the difference in the closing weeks.
    Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 4 May 2026
Adjective
  • Crawford, the rookie center fielder, has found Mattingly’s perspective insightful early in his career.
    Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2026
  • But that has not stopped content creators from flooding platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and X with videos purporting to have more insightful takes on the situation than what’s being reported by the mainstream media.
    Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The area Set in the hills, out of earshot from the tourist churn of Hastings Street, this is the quieter, more knowing side of Noosa.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
  • His exaggerated blowing of the candle got a knowing smirk from Kate Middleton as the family attended the Christmas service at at Westminster Abbey in 2023.
    Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • In a recent tactical blunder, the first lady’s farcical rollout of a teacher robot made unusually clear what this administration really thinks of children, teachers and schools.
    Randi Weingarten, Fortune, 6 May 2026
  • They were joined soon after a large, command-post-style vehicle, which was followed by several other armored tactical vehicles.
    Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Wise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wise. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

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