as in sophisticated
having a wide and refined knowledge of the world especially from personal experience
her long career as a globe-trotting journalist has made her very worldly-wise
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of worldly-wise
Crucially, they are grounded in real-world experiences, from a recent exchange with worldly-wise restaurant waitresses in Bordeaux exemplifying trust and collaboration, to the coaching of top CEOs over the past 20 years.
—
Hec Paris Insights, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
Heather Alicia Simms and Vanessa Bell Calloway are both sharp, witty, and poignant without sentimentality as the play’s two matriarchal figures, the formidable Missy Judson and Idella Landy, the wry, worldly-wise housekeeper who essentially raised Charlie.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 16 June 2024
Parroni does a good job of balancing the way that adolescents veer from experimenting with a worldly-wise cynicism and dipping back into the wildness of childhood.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 9 Sep. 2023
Hec Paris Insights, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
Heather Alicia Simms and Vanessa Bell Calloway are both sharp, witty, and poignant without sentimentality as the play’s two matriarchal figures, the formidable Missy Judson and Idella Landy, the wry, worldly-wise housekeeper who essentially raised Charlie.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 16 June 2024
Parroni does a good job of balancing the way that adolescents veer from experimenting with a worldly-wise cynicism and dipping back into the wildness of childhood.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 9 Sep. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worldly-wise
Adjective
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Private-equity firms and non-bank lenders have grown impressively over the last few decades due to substantial demand for their offerings from those sophisticated investors.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 July 2025
-
What stands out most about the set is the classic hammered glass design of the dispensers and the ornate accents of the stand, which give everything a sophisticated, timeless feel.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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The cosmopolitan nature of the club has been clear.—
Jeff Rueter,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
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To highlight indie scenes and neighborhood venues amid Music City's vastly evolving growth toward becoming a cosmopolitan mainstream culture hub driven by the country and Americana's mainstream boom.—
Marcus K. Dowling,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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This new reading revises not only the phrases quoted in the sermon, but also the entire Song of Wade, centering the hero amid worldly dangers rather than mythical beasts.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN Money,
18 July 2025
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Housed at Doctor Who and Industry producer Bad Wolf, Game of Thrones star Varma and Richard Coyle (Heads of State) are set as Mr and Mrs Gardiner, Mary’s worldly aunt and uncle.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Worldly-wise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worldly-wise. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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