1
as in foolish
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment
made the unwise decision to invest in a brand-new company
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inappropriate
showing poor judgment especially in personal relationships or social situations
an unwise urge to confide in total strangers
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3
as in stupid
not having or showing a deep understanding of something
a stunningly unwise observer of the political scene
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unwise
The board amended a resolution to meet the parents’ demands despite financial warnings that doing so would be unwise.
—
Ikram Mohamed, Chicago Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025
But using this approach in peacetime is altogether different and strategically unwise.
—Stephen G. Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2025
There is no doubt that higher education needs reform, but the pending disinvestment in our research universities is unwise and not in our national interest.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
The 15% rate may be harsh and unwise, but 70% can seem indefensible.
—George Calhoun, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unwise
Ikram Mohamed, Chicago Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025
But using this approach in peacetime is altogether different and strategically unwise.
—Stephen G. Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2025
There is no doubt that higher education needs reform, but the pending disinvestment in our research universities is unwise and not in our national interest.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
The 15% rate may be harsh and unwise, but 70% can seem indefensible.
—George Calhoun, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unwise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwise
Adjective
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While tailback isn’t a need, only foolish franchises pass up adding generational talents such as Jeanty.—
Omar Kelly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2025
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Evening rush-hour commuters — who thought winter was over — felt foolish after the city was socked with a record-breaking spring snowfall.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Mickey Rourke was removed from the Celebrity Big Brother UK house after further usage of inappropriate language.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
13 Apr. 2025
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Lewin has insisted there was nothing inappropriate about this visit.—
Nick Tabor,
Curbed,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Friendships built on insecurity, where men constantly have to prove their manhood, are a breeding ground for toxic attitudes and stupid decision-making.—
Terry Ward,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2025
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Also, his team told him over the radio, basically, don’t do anything stupid, Nato is going to be penalized for not using all his Attack Mode.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This strategy worked for him for about 10 years—and then began to bore him silly.—
Art Spiegelman,
The Atlantic,
9 Apr. 2025
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Props to the people who green-lit Angry Birds to give kids a silly movie about infanticide.—
Jordan Crucchiola,
Vulture,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Ultimately, trying to peel Russia away from China is both imprudent and wrong.—
MICHAEL McFAUL,
Foreign Affairs,
4 Apr. 2025
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Fiduciaries who fail to meet their obligations may face personal liability for losses incurred by the plan due to imprudent decisions or conflicts of interest.—
True Tamplin,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This whole exercise of proving the absence of antisemitism as a prerequisite to criticizing Israeli government policy is absurd.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
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Still, the sexist double standards around pockets have continued to be present in absurd ways.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Instances of fraud and other types of improper payments at SSA—particularly in the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance program—are modest compared with other federal agencies, per a Government Accountability Office report.—
Doug Criscitello,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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The Pakistani-Indian restaurant was issued a yellow placard for storing spoiled food and keeping food in improper containers.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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He could not be seen, just as the little black boy was not seen, or was seen inaccurately, by the unperceptive and disdainful white boy.—
Louise Glück,
The New York Review of Books,
14 Jan. 2021
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Memory, conveyed by an unperceptive, mechanically flowing camera, seems disconnected from culture.—
Armond White,
National Review,
19 Nov. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Unwise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwise. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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