judicious

adjective

jü-ˈdi-shəs How to pronounce judicious (audio)
Definition of judiciousnext
1
as in intelligent
having or showing good judgment and restraint especially in conduct or speech a good teacher who knows how to give judicious criticism as well as praise

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in prudent
suitable for bringing about a desired result under the circumstances I'll ask for the raise at a time I deem most judicious

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word judicious distinct from other similar adjectives?

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

While the synonyms prudent and judicious 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

Where would sage be a reasonable alternative to judicious?

The words sage and judicious can be used in similar contexts, but sage suggests wide experience, great learning, and wisdom.

the sage advice of my father

When could sane be used to replace judicious?

While in some cases nearly identical to judicious, sane stresses mental soundness, rationality, and levelheadedness.

remained sane even in times of crises

When is sapient a more appropriate choice than judicious?

In some situations, the words sapient and judicious 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 judicious?

The words sensible and judicious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 judicious?

Although the words wise and judicious have much in common, 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 judicious These details will be crucial to determining how effective and judicious the program will be. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2026 As more people gain access to the discipline, a judicious approach to short selling is key. — David Capablanca, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 Over years of judicious choosing and cutting, Chad turned our heap of mail into a book. — Literary Hub, 13 July 2026 In a large serving bowl, add cucumber, bell peppers, tomatoes, parsley, green onions, and oil; toss to combine and season to taste with a judicious amount of seasoned salt (more can be added later if needed). — Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for judicious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for judicious
  1. intelligent
  2. prudent
  3. cautious
  4. wise
  5. discreet
  6. desirable
  7. tactical
Adjective
  • In an age of intelligent machines, these may be our most essential skills.
    — Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Over time, intelligent model routing will make this optimization increasingly dynamic.
    — Pritam Debnath, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of intelligent
Adjective
  • The Royals still must try to be prudent in fixing their relief unit.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Payton will certainly want to prove his decision to take over play-calling from offensive coordinator Davis Webb was a prudent one.
    — Sam Jane, Denver Post, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of prudent
Adjective
  • For now, a Super El Niño offers a reason for cautious optimism — not a promise of a drought-busting winter.
    — Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • People with certain medical conditions should be particularly cautious about intense, high-speed rides.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of cautious
Adjective
  • Maybe there’s an equilibrium that must be restored on this show, relationship-wise.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Anthropic updates its policies to bar users being cruel to Claude, inflaming a debate about whether the company’s concern for ‘model welfare’ is wise.
    — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of wise
Adjective
  • For something more discreet, there’s a delicate pendant with a single pavé oval, just the thing to wear with an open-collar shirt or layered with a favorite gold chain.
    — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2026
  • At the same time, brands such as Bottega Veneta offered a more discreet form of luxury rooted in purity of design and craftsmanship.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of discreet
Adjective
  • The products have to remain desirable enough that customers are willing to pay up at a time when AI is squeezing margins across much of the software sector.
    — CJ Haddad, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Increasingly, however, marinas are becoming desirable destinations unto themselves.
    — Chrissie McClatchie, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of desirable
Adjective
  • When algorithms handle tactical execution, a leader’s primary mandate is cultural.
    — Alexandra J. Zanela, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Two teenagers caught on camera wearing tactical-style vests and carrying what appeared to be rifles while approaching homes in a Delaware neighborhood late Friday night were pulling a prank, police said Monday.
    — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of tactical

Browse Nearby Words

judiciary
judicious
judiciously
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Judicious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/judicious. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of jilt

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

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

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
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?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All