unwise

adjective

un·​wise ˌən-ˈwīz How to pronounce unwise (audio)
: lacking wisdom or good sense : foolish, imprudent
unwisely adverb

Examples of unwise in a Sentence

It would be unwise to buy a house now. made the unwise decision to invest in a brand-new company
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.
Arizona’s desert may seem like an unwise location for a water-intensive industry. Austin Corona, The Arizona Republic, 4 Nov. 2024 Using your time here wisely is never an unwise thing to do. Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Dec. 2024 But politics prevailed and the politician/lawyer would run HHS, supporting unwise and scientifically dubious policies to deal with the COVID pandemic. Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, 19 Nov. 2024 The recognition afforded by a Nobel Prize entrenches ideas within the mainstream, even when those ideas are questionable or the scientific autocracy proves unwise. James Broughel, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unwise 

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unwise was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near unwise

Cite this Entry

“Unwise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unwise. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

unwise

adjective
un·​wise ˌən-ˈwīz How to pronounce unwise (audio)
ˈən-
: not wise : foolish
unwisely adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on unwise

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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