Synonym Chooser

How is the word sane distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of sane are judicious, prudent, sage, sapient, sensible, and wise. While all these words mean "having or showing sound judgment," sane stresses mental soundness, rationality, and levelheadedness.

remained sane even in times of crises

When might judicious be a better fit than sane?

In some situations, the words judicious and sane 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 is prudent a more appropriate choice than sane?

While the synonyms prudent and sane are close in meaning, prudent suggests the exercise of restraint guided by sound practical wisdom and discretion.

a prudent decision to wait out the storm

In what contexts can sage take the place of sane?

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

the sage advice of my father

When is it sensible to use sapient instead of sane?

Although the words sapient and sane have much in common, sapient suggests great sagacity and discernment.

the sapient musings of an old philosopher

When could sensible be used to replace sane?

The meanings of sensible and sane largely overlap; however, sensible applies to action guided and restrained by good sense and rationality.

a sensible woman who was not fooled by flattery

Where would wise be a reasonable alternative to sane?

The synonyms wise and sane 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 sane Having some sort of schedule has kept me sane a little bit. Brooke Eby, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025 This may be true, but what sane person would exchange the gleaming city at 3 a.m. for the farmhouse at 9 P.M., with all the exhausted hoers and threshers briefly asleep until the next dawn’s labor begins again? Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025 Upcoming trustee elections represent a chance for sane graduates of the troubled institution to push it in the right direction -- despite the university’s interference. Jack Fowler, National Review, 19 Jan. 2025 This work identified some of the ways longtime government workers managed to stay sane, keep their jobs and continue to serve the American people. Jaime L Kucinskas, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for sane 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sane
Adjective
  • The Vatican said the 88-year-old pontiff is in stable condition after being admitted to a hospital in Rome last week.
    Alexandra Banner, CNN, 17 Feb. 2025
  • In Monday's update, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the pope was in stable condition.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Instead, enter the address yourself, or use the normal method of clicking on your Google avatar in Gmail, for example.
    Davey Winder, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2025
  • However, under normal household use, no significant health risk is expected.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • This lucid and perceptive book is a valuable guide to what is at stake in the ongoing conflict.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Over the past nine years, he had been evaluated at least nine times — only twice, court records show, was he judged at least temporarily lucid enough to stand trial.
    Kallie Cox, Charlotte Observer, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Now, our risk-taking has to be rational, but everything is a risk.
    Matt Slater, The Athletic, 9 Feb. 2025
  • His characters are driven by their needs; they’re not driven by rational thinking.
    Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Time based: Set a reasonable time frame to reduce alcohol consumption.
    Sandee LaMotte, CNN, 9 Feb. 2025
  • After a reasonable time, drain the water — not into a city sewer or drainage area — and dispose of the soaked fireworks debris in a plastic garbage bag.
    Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Buyers will benefit from increasing inventories, suggesting a more balanced market, but demand continues to outstrip supply, so sellers will still have the advantage, Young said.
    Ruth Thompson, USA TODAY, 16 Feb. 2025
  • All-purpose fertilizers for evergreens Products labeled specifically for hollies, azaleas, and evergreen shrubs are low in nitrogen and have a balanced NPK ratio (4-3-4).
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • However, activists concerned with animal rights, the environment, the rights of farmers, and human health are already working to ease the distortions of the subsidy system and align government subsidies with recommendations as to what constitutes a healthy, sustainable diet.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
  • Carter started three of 11 games, missing time with a wrist injury, but was a healthy scratch throughout the playoffs.
    Tim Graham, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • In this case the most sensible move would be to shift Rafaela into a super utility bench role, install the prospect at left field and bump Duran over to center.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2025
  • City government is closest to the needs of residents’ everyday lives – snow plowing, garbage pickup, street lights, road repair, public safety, sensible economic development for low property taxes.
    Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near sane

Cite this Entry

“Sane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sane. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sane

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