wiser; wisest
1
a
: characterized by wisdom : marked by deep understanding, keen discernment, and a capacity for sound judgment
b
: exercising or showing sound judgment : prudent
a wise investor
2
a
: evidencing or hinting at the possession of inside information : knowing
b
: possessing inside information
the police got wise to his whereabouts
d
: aware of or informed about a particular matter
—usually used in the comparative in negative constructions with the
was none the wiser about their plans
3
: insolent, smart-alecky, fresh
a tough kid with a wise mouth
4
archaic
: skilled in magic or divination
wisely
adverb
wiseness
noun
wised; wising
: to become informed or knowledgeable : learn
—used with up
: to give instruction or information to : teach
—usually used with up
wise him up about procedures
wised; wising
-wise
5 of 5adverb combining form
1
a
: in the manner of
crabwise
fanwise
b
: in the position or direction of
slantwise
clockwise
2
: with regard to : in respect of
dollarwise
Synonyms
Examples of wise in a Sentence
Adjective
I'm a little wiser now than I was back then.
The wisest course of action would be to leave.
That was a wise choice.
Many have benefited from her wise counsel.
wised him up to some of the more effective tricks of salesmanship
she eventually wised up to the fact that he was taking advantage of her
Recent Examples on the Web
Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 9 Nov. 2024
Educating employees—especially those in finance roles—about the risks of fraudulent invoices and how to verify payment requests would be wise for organizations to prioritize in light of novel cyberattacks like this.
—Lars Daniel, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024
Now, bears have wised up, and many natural areas across the U.S. require bear canisters.
—Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 19 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wise 
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Adjective
No one’s ever asked the kids up in the Grading The Week offices to help them with their taxes, but those wise apples sure know how to work a calculator.
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 9 Nov. 2024
Educating employees—especially those in finance roles—about the risks of fraudulent invoices and how to verify payment requests would be wise for organizations to prioritize in light of novel cyberattacks like this.
—Lars Daniel, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
Advertisement Mitla’s owners eventually wised up and invited him to learn how to properly prepare them.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024
Now, bears have wised up, and many natural areas across the U.S. require bear canisters.
—Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 19 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wise
Dictionary Entries Near wise
Cite this Entry
“Wise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wise. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
wise
1 of 4 noun
: manner sense 2b
—used in such phrases as in any wise, in no wise, in this wise
wise
3 of 4 verb
wised; wising
: to make or become informed or smart
—used with up
wise up if you want to get ahead
-wise
4 of 4 adverb combining formˌwīz
1
a
: in the manner of
b
: in the position or direction of
slantwise
clockwise
2
: with regard to : in respect of
Etymology
Noun
Old English wīse "way, manner"
Adjective
Old English wīs "showing good judgment or intelligence"
Adverb combining form
derived from Old English wīse "manner"
Biographical Definition
Wise
2 of 2biographical name (2)
Thomas James 1859–1937 English bibliophile and forger
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