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

Relevance

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 But for the first time in at least that long, the city will allow the sale and use of safe and sane fireworks for celebrating Independence Day. —Jonathan Horwitz, Oc Register, 2 July 2025 That skill, the support of his wife, and his workout routine helped keep him sane—and humble, his wife would say. —Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 23 June 2025 The sale of safe and sane fireworks is allowed between noon and 10 p.m. on June 28 and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. from June 29 until July 4. —Jack Rodriquez-Vars, Sacbee.com, 5 June 2025 Sanchez, who first started at the company in 1993, told Fortune there are two key practices that keep him sane and firing on all cylinders. —Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 23 June 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
  • An East Chicago man shot by police Tuesday evening is in stable condition, according to his uncle, who says witnesses to the shooting claim his nephew didn’t start the issue.
    — Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 23 July 2025
  • This stood in sharp contrast to the postwar American corporate experience, which operated within stable, predictable structures.
    — Gabriel Snyder, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Definition of stable
Adjective
  • Newsweek has contacted the White House press office for comment outside of normal business hours.
    — Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
  • By morning, service on the subway had resumed on a normal schedule.
    — Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 15 July 2025
Definition of normal
Adjective
  • The glasses are available in a Midas Fleck colorway, with a black lucid treatment and gold details, featuring Prizm 24K lenses.
    — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 9 July 2025
  • Han, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature last year, has written about the Jeju uprising before in the brutal and lucid 2014 novel Human Acts.
    — Vulture Editors, Vulture, 8 July 2025
Definition of lucid
Adjective
  • The regime’s more rational elements may eventually prevail and reduce tensions.
    — Roya Hakakian, The Atlantic, 10 July 2025
  • Collins’ no vote, in a rational world, made sense for her constituents.
    — Philip Elliott, Time, 9 July 2025
Definition of rational
Adjective
  • There were a few reasonable opinion drafts, a couple of speeches with a Q&A transcribed, and one very excellent and complete essay on civil rights.
    — Ezra Fox July 14, Literary Hub, 14 July 2025
  • Invoking Section 15 of Article 17, the NFL wants Droney to order payment of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs—about $12 million.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of reasonable
Adjective
  • Each tablet also includes prebiotic FOS, vitamin D, zinc and biotin to keep your gut balanced and healthy.
    — Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • With a relationship dating to 1970, the tandem built a balanced, rhythmic symmetry that accommodated any type of flourish or alteration.
    — Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2025
Definition of balanced
Adjective
  • For leaders, healthy paranoia channels that same response.
    — Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
  • The Boost: Turkey, tofu, beans, and eggs serve up a good dose of protein, iron, potassium, and magnesium; nuts and seeds add healthy fats.
    — Katie Sullivan Morford, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 July 2025
Definition of healthy
Adjective
  • The Hunting Wives consistently prioritizes steamy scenes over sensible plotting or nuanced characters, juicy twists over deep emotions or big ideas.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 20 July 2025
  • But the different branches have been largely united over President Donald Trump’s accomplishments such as a stronger economy, a more efficient government and a more sensible approach to foreign affairs.
    — Nicole Russell, USA Today, 18 July 2025
Definition of sensible

Browse Nearby Words

sandy
sane
saneness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sane. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on sane

Nglish: Translation of sane for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All