wise

[wahyz] / waɪz /

ADJECTIVE

intelligent, reasonable

Synonyms

STRONGEST

astute aware careful educated enlightened experienced informed judicious knowledgeable perceptive prudent rational sagacious sane sensible smart thoughtful wary well-informed

STRONG

contemplative keen knowing sage sensing sharp sound understanding

WEAK

calculating clever cogitative crafty cunning discerning discreet erudite foresighted insightful intuitive perspicacious politic reflective sapient scholarly shrewd sophic tactful taught witty

Antonyms

STRONGEST

careless foolish heedless ignorant inattentive incautious indiscreet inexperienced irrational obtuse reckless senseless stupid thoughtless unaware uneducated uninformed unintelligent unknowledgeable unrealistic unreasonable unsophisticated unsound unwise

STRONG

idiotic

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

No one has coached or won more MLS games than Bruce Arena, so when Arena speaks about the league, it’s probably wise to listen.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2026

Given that you say one brother is not reliable and the other brother is responsible half of the time, it does not seem wise to enter a financial arrangement with them.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

“All they’re missing are the manger and the three wise men,” the preacher quipped.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

"Our government appreciated it as very fortunate and wise behaviour for its own sake," Kim Yo Jong said on Monday.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

Who could have foretold that all those years of stitching pithy wise sayings onto pillows would prove so useful?

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

Vocabulary lists containing wise

"The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry

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"Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare, Act III

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Bright Ideas: Synonyms For "Smart"

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!