prudently
adverb
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It Is Prudent to Read Up on This Word History
Prudent arrived in Middle English around the 14th century and traces back, by way of Middle French, to the Latin verb providēre, meaning "to see ahead, foresee, provide (for). "Providēre" combines pro-, meaning "before, and vidēre, meaning "to see, and it may look familiar to you; it is also the source of our "provide," "provident," "provision," and "improvise." "Vidēre" also has many English offspring, including "evident," "supervise," "video," and "vision."
Synonyms
Examples of prudent in a Sentence
An endless war is not always the most moral or the most prudent course of action.
—
Richard A. Posner, New Republic, 2 Sept. 2002
We missed the Mass for St. Rose of Lima, who, though prudent, had failed to be martyred and was therefore only second-string.
—Darryl Pinckney, High Cotton, 1992
Prudent burners take several precautions. Burning one of two bordering fields, they wet the edge of one or the other, usually the one being burned, to prevent the flames from jumping.
—Alec Wilkinson, Big Sugar, 1989
Since the inexplicable power of a magnetized needle to "find" the north smacked of black magic … . For many decades the prudent sea captain consulted his compass secretly.
—Daniel J. Boorstin, The Discoverers, 1983
He always listened to her prudent advice.
You made a prudent choice.
Richard A. Posner, New Republic, 2 Sept. 2002
We missed the Mass for St. Rose of Lima, who, though prudent, had failed to be martyred and was therefore only second-string.
—Darryl Pinckney, High Cotton, 1992
Prudent burners take several precautions. Burning one of two bordering fields, they wet the edge of one or the other, usually the one being burned, to prevent the flames from jumping.
—Alec Wilkinson, Big Sugar, 1989
Since the inexplicable power of a magnetized needle to "find" the north smacked of black magic … . For many decades the prudent sea captain consulted his compass secretly.
—Daniel J. Boorstin, The Discoverers, 1983
He always listened to her prudent advice.
You made a prudent choice.
Recent Examples on the Web
To be prudent, the organization is making small changes like limiting travel, and only stocking up on supplies for short term needs.
—Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR, 8 Feb. 2025
The prudent move for both parties would be another restructure that would free up some cap space.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2025
The requirements to make the elite list are strict and include Universal Recognition, Excellence in Amenities and Facilities, Calibre of Staff and Professional Service Levels, Quality of Membership, Governance and prudent Fiscal Management, Adapting to Changing Times, and Overall Experience.
—Jim Dobson, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Flagstar’s recent financial achievements underscore the significance of prudent risk management in the banking sector.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for prudent 
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Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR, 8 Feb. 2025
The prudent move for both parties would be another restructure that would free up some cap space.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2025
The requirements to make the elite list are strict and include Universal Recognition, Excellence in Amenities and Facilities, Calibre of Staff and Professional Service Levels, Quality of Membership, Governance and prudent Fiscal Management, Adapting to Changing Times, and Overall Experience.
—Jim Dobson, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Flagstar’s recent financial achievements underscore the significance of prudent risk management in the banking sector.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for prudent
Dictionary Entries Near prudent
Cite this Entry
“Prudent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prudent. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
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prudent
adjective
pru·dent
ˈprüd-ᵊnt 
: characterized by, arising from, or showing prudence
prudently
adverb
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