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.

But selling all shares probably isn’t wise, either.

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

Maras and Ramsay make the wise choice to shoot the film with richly saturated color instead of the usual grayish, desaturated look often assigned to period pieces set in this era.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

Some would argue that the wise move would have been to hold off until after the World Cup but, clearly, the Scottish FA felt they couldn't do that.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

It still isn’t foolproof, and it is wise to use an actual flesh-and-blood human to fact-check anything you must get right.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

“I am heading north in search of the Ancient Shark. I have heard that she is wise and powerful, and she will know what to do. Together, we will find a way.”

From "The Wild Robot Protects" by Peter Brown

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!