sage 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of sagenext
as in wise
having or showing deep understanding and intelligent application of knowledge a sage suggestion that anyone should think long and hard before deciding to marry

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sage

2 of 2

noun

ˈsāj How to pronounce sage (audio)
as in scholar
a person of deep wisdom or learning the young prince made a pilgrimage to the sage, hoping to learn the meaning of life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sage distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of sage are judicious, prudent, sane, sapient, sensible, and wise. While all these words mean "having or showing sound judgment," sage suggests wide experience, great learning, and wisdom.

the sage advice of my father

When can judicious be used instead of sage?

The words judicious and sage can be used in similar contexts, but judicious stresses a capacity for reaching wise decisions or just conclusions.

judicious parents using kindness and discipline in equal measure

When would prudent be a good substitute for sage?

Although the words prudent and sage have much in common, prudent suggests the exercise of restraint guided by sound practical wisdom and discretion.

a prudent decision to wait out the storm

When could sane be used to replace sage?

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

remained sane even in times of crises

When is sapient a more appropriate choice than sage?

In some situations, the words sapient and sage are roughly equivalent. However, sapient suggests great sagacity and discernment.

the sapient musings of an old philosopher

When might sensible be a better fit than sage?

While in some cases nearly identical to sage, sensible applies to action guided and restrained by good sense and rationality.

a sensible woman who was not fooled by flattery

In what contexts can wise take the place of sage?

The synonyms wise and sage are sometimes interchangeable, but wise suggests great understanding of people and of situations and unusual discernment and judgment in dealing with them.

wise beyond his tender years

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 sage
Noun
Herbs: Anise, basil, bay laurel, borage, cardamom, chives, coriander, dill, borage, edible ginger, lemon balm, oregano, Mexican tarragon, mint, oregano, rosemary, sage, savory, sweet marjoram and thyme. —Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2025 Philadelphia Phillies right fielder — and team sage — Nick Castellanos already gave his deep thoughts of the upcoming season when spring training began last month. —Anthony Stitt, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025 Aromas of honey, nutmeg, sage, mandarins, ginger and queen of the night. —Tom Mullen, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025 The additional bedrooms are spacious and thoughtfully designed, with one featuring a tranquil en-suite bath in soft sage and aquamarine tones. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sage
  1. wise
  2. scholar
  3. prudent
Adjective
  • Mid-soul-searching, a wise friend suggested something.
    — Jed Brewer, Rolling Stone, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Getting struck by lightning might not sound like a very wise idea to us, but for one tropical tree species, an occasional zap is a good thing.
    — Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of wise
Noun
  • Legal scholars have said there is little legal precedent for Trump's war on Big Law, which has created a chilling effect across the legal community, and most will certainly have a chilling effect on his opponents who will need legal representation against him.
    — Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 29 Mar. 2025
  • On top of that, the Trump administration has detained some international scholars who have expressed support for Palestinian causes or criticized Israel over the war in Gaza.
    — Tinbete Ermyas, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of scholar
Adjective
  • Not all stocks will weather the storm equally, but undervalued, dividend-paying companies—particularly those with strong balance sheets and a track record of prudent capital discipline—are well-positioned to navigate the turbulence.
    — John Buckingham, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Her action was no surprise—judges don’t tend to be well disposed toward efforts to bump them off cases, which is why prudent litigants are wary of making such requests.
    — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of prudent

Browse Nearby Words

sagas
sage
sagely
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Cite this Entry

“Sage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sage. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sage

Nglish: Translation of sage for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sage

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