saner; sanest
1
: proceeding from a sound mind : rational
2
: mentally sound
especially : able to anticipate and appraise the effect of one's actions
3
: healthy in body
sanely adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for sane

wise, sage, sapient, judicious, prudent, sensible, sane mean having or showing sound judgment.

wise suggests great understanding of people and of situations and unusual discernment and judgment in dealing with them.

wise beyond his tender years

sage suggests wide experience, great learning, and wisdom.

the sage advice of my father

sapient suggests great sagacity and discernment.

the sapient musings of an old philosopher

judicious stresses a capacity for reaching wise decisions or just conclusions.

judicious parents using kindness and discipline in equal measure

prudent suggests the exercise of restraint guided by sound practical wisdom and discretion.

a prudent decision to wait out the storm

sensible applies to action guided and restrained by good sense and rationality.

a sensible woman who was not fooled by flattery

sane stresses mental soundness, rationality, and levelheadedness.

remained sane even in times of crises

Examples of sane in a Sentence

No sane person could do something so horrible. Leaving was the only sane option she had.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Many poured into that room prematurely, wondering how Wolfe expected audiences to believe that a sane Black Rose could ever have dreamed of stardom for her children in the racist enclave of show business in the 1920s. Jesse Green, New York Times, 20 Dec. 2024 The film takes you on an emotional journey through the girls’ memories, the reality of the situation and their daydreams, which helped keep them sane as 45 days passed before anyone realized what had happened to them. Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024 Her books, for example, help keep her sane and relaxed during tour; Lipa is currently reading Hernán Diaz’s In the Distance and Not a River by Selva Almada. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 4 Dec. 2024 No sane businessperson would relinquish so much as a square inch of New York real estate, except under duress. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 12 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sane 

Word History

Etymology

Latin sanus healthy, sane

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sane was in 1628

Dictionary Entries Near sane

Cite this Entry

“Sane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sane. Accessed 2 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

saner; sanest
1
: mentally sound and healthy
2
: proceeding from a sound mind : rational, sensible
sanely adverb

Medical Definition

saner; sanest
1
: free from hurt or disease : healthy
2
: mentally sound
especially : able to anticipate and appraise the effect of one's actions
3
: proceeding from a sound mind
sane behavior
sanely adverb

Legal Definition

sane

adjective
: mentally sound
specifically : able to understand one's actions and distinguish right from wrong

More from Merriam-Webster on sane

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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