sane

adjective

ˈsān How to pronounce sane (audio)
Definition of sanenext
as in stable
having full use of one's mind and control over one's actions the court ruled that the woman was indeed sane when she made out her will

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sane distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of sane are judicious, prudent, sage, sapient, sensible, and wise. While all these words mean "having or showing sound judgment," sane stresses mental soundness, rationality, and levelheadedness.

remained sane even in times of crises

When might judicious be a better fit than sane?

In some situations, the words judicious and sane are roughly equivalent. However, judicious stresses a capacity for reaching wise decisions or just conclusions.

judicious parents using kindness and discipline in equal measure

When is prudent a more appropriate choice than sane?

While the synonyms prudent and sane are close in meaning, prudent suggests the exercise of restraint guided by sound practical wisdom and discretion.

a prudent decision to wait out the storm

In what contexts can sage take the place of sane?

While in some cases nearly identical to sane, sage suggests wide experience, great learning, and wisdom.

the sage advice of my father

When is it sensible to use sapient instead of sane?

Although the words sapient and sane have much in common, sapient suggests great sagacity and discernment.

the sapient musings of an old philosopher

When could sensible be used to replace sane?

The meanings of sensible and sane largely overlap; however, sensible applies to action guided and restrained by good sense and rationality.

a sensible woman who was not fooled by flattery

Where would wise be a reasonable alternative to sane?

The synonyms wise and sane 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 sane The picture is about how to not make government service and political office something any sane person would flee from. —Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2025 No sane person reading this complaint could credit this story. —Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 1 Apr. 2025 Intercultural triangulation—balancing and managing the cultural forces one has been exposed to—helps leaders stay credible and sane. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025 But Congress should also be thinking about how to build a saner and more productive system of higher education for the future — one that could provide benefits for generations to come. —Editorial, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sane
  1. stable
  2. normal
  3. lucid
  4. rational
  5. reasonable
  6. balanced
  7. healthy
  8. sensible
Adjective
  • The unpredictability makes the U.S. seem less stable, less reliable, and a less safe place for their money, experts say.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Unlike stable volume, which is enabled on a video-to-video basis, YouTube Music's consistent volume is toggled globally.
    — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of stable
Adjective
  • That might well be the new normal for Toronto, Sundance and Cannes.
    — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Newsweek has contacted Agri-Mark Inc outside of normal working hours via email for comment.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of normal
Adjective
  • The former, while lucid, are often left wanting for a human anchor.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025
  • Over the past nine years, he had been evaluated at least nine times — only twice, court records show, was he judged at least temporarily lucid enough to stand trial.
    — Kallie Cox, Charlotte Observer, 17 Jan. 2025
Definition of lucid
Adjective
  • Rajula Srivastava, for contributions in harmonic analysis and analytic number theory, including contributions to the problem of counting rational points near smooth manifolds.
    — Alex Cramer, HollywoodReporter, 6 Apr. 2025
  • The individual leader faces a prisoner's dilemma where the rational choice for personal advancement conflicts with the collective interest.
    — Nate Bennett, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of rational
Adjective
  • Netanyahu was told to be reasonable on Turkey Since the fall of the Assad dynasty in Syria late last year, Israel and Turkey have been competing in the country over their separate interests there.
    — Time, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Given that this decline coincided with the large-scale movement of the US Commercial fishing fleet into those waters, the idea that overfishing might have something to do with it seemed a reasonable hypothesis.
    — Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of reasonable
Adjective
  • For a more balanced strategy, the Trefis High Quality portfolio has delivered strong results, returning over 91% since launch—outpacing broader benchmarks.
    — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Lots of people love Global knives are beloved by many for their middle of the road price and balanced, lightweight feel.
    — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of balanced
Adjective
  • Orlando is mostly healthy now and led by combo wings Franz Wagner and Palo Banchero.
    — Kambui Bomani, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Viktor Arvidsson’s spike has been more pronounced since mid-March, and reflects a player who finally appears healthy.
    — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of healthy
Adjective
  • Spectators got wind of the sensible footwear concealed by the Fiesta finery and began demanding to see the shoes.
    — Jill Robbins, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2025
  • The only sensible pathway to being an AI Continent would be to promise that AI innovation is the highest priority.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of sensible

Browse Nearby Words

sandy
sane
saneness
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Cite this Entry

“Sane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sane. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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