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sage

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sage distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of sage are judicious, prudent, sane, sapient, sensible, and wise. While all these words mean "having or showing sound judgment," sage suggests wide experience, great learning, and wisdom.

the sage advice of my father

When can judicious be used instead of sage?

The words judicious and sage can be used in similar contexts, but judicious stresses a capacity for reaching wise decisions or just conclusions.

judicious parents using kindness and discipline in equal measure

When would prudent be a good substitute for sage?

Although the words prudent and sage have much in common, prudent suggests the exercise of restraint guided by sound practical wisdom and discretion.

a prudent decision to wait out the storm

When could sane be used to replace sage?

The meanings of sane and sage largely overlap; however, sane stresses mental soundness, rationality, and levelheadedness.

remained sane even in times of crises

When is sapient a more appropriate choice than sage?

In some situations, the words sapient and sage are roughly equivalent. However, sapient suggests great sagacity and discernment.

the sapient musings of an old philosopher

When might sensible be a better fit than sage?

While in some cases nearly identical to sage, sensible applies to action guided and restrained by good sense and rationality.

a sensible woman who was not fooled by flattery

In what contexts can wise take the place of sage?

The synonyms wise and sage 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 sage
Noun
The set is available in red, sage, and two shades of blue, all with a vivid floral design on the side panel. Toni Sutton, People.com, 8 Jan. 2025 Many Mediterranean herbs appreciate staying relatively cool during winter, such as rosemary, lavender, sage, thyme, savory, oregano, bay leaf, and parsley. Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 2 Jan. 2025 The property’s brown sugar and sage sausage is sold in the Farm Shop next door to CAMPO. Chadd Scott, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025 Instead of the intensive active, this pen is spiked with a combination of mineral-rich sea salt and coconut oil, sage oil, and lemon peel oil—a trifecta of oils rich in antioxidants to brighten and even the tone of your teeth. Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for sage 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sage
Adjective
  • For example, tying the knot on the same weekend as the Super Bowl in the city where the event is taking place may not be wise, as hotel availability will likely be limited and room rates may be much higher than normal.
    Metro Creative Services, Boston Herald, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Back then, wise Israelis counseled that to remain an occupying power over an understandably angry people was not only morally repugnant, but could erode Israel's own society.
    Max Rodenbeck, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Most presidents have tried the same thing Historically, most presidents and their advisers – and indeed most scholars – have agreed that government bureaucracy is not designed in ways that promote efficiency.
    Jennifer Selin, The Conversation, 24 Jan. 2025
  • The child was a member of the Hartford Public Schools system and a scholar with the Catholic Charities Community Schools program, according to Nick Lebron, director of the program.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • All but one speaker on the matter urged the city away from renewing the deal or encouraged officials to be prudent in any contract decisions.
    Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2025
  • If any South Carolina lawmakers are unsure about the need to bring the state’s top marginal income tax rate down further in order to be more competitive, Governor Brian Kemp (R-Ga.) recently demonstrated why Speaker Smith’s proposal is prudent.
    Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near sage

Cite this Entry

“Sage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sage. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

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