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 Those things are what keep me emotionally sane—and therapy. —Sam Reed, Glamour, 3 Apr. 2025 Elice and Martin lean on Ivy so hard to provide the drama that the other characters get away with looking relatively sane. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025 Anderson finished the seventh at 108 pitches, a great outing that should have ended his day in a sane and rational world. —Keith Law, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025 After more than 19 hours, the jury ultimately agreed that Fiorenza was sane at the time of the murder and deserved to be executed. —Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 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
  • Temperatures are all maintained and stable in all steps.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 12 May 2025
  • They’re made with a contoured footbed packed with arch support, as well as a deep heel cup to keep your feet stable.
    — Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2025
Definition of stable
Adjective
  • Telling investors what’s coming is a normal part of doing business.
    — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
  • Don’t resume normal brushing or flossing without your provider’s consent.
    — Mark Gurarie, Health, 3 May 2025
Definition of normal
Adjective
  • Liz joins an experiment that revives emotions via lucid memories.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 8 May 2025
  • Psychologists slowly came around, conducting research and tapping into patients’ lucid dreaming capacity for therapeutic purposes.
    — Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of lucid
Adjective
  • In a rational market, a CEO who delivers declining sales, shrinking margins, and alienates core customers while pursuing outside interests would see their company's stock value decline until either performance improves or leadership changes.
    — Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
  • In some, the conceit of rational or empirical investigation is coupled with a principle that resists being accounted for in that way: axioms of indifference or exhaustion; rulesof inference;principles of detachment; propertiesof between.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 May 2025
Definition of rational
Adjective
  • Eureka Innova Cordless Stick Multi-Surface Vacuum for $207: This is a good stick vacuum at a reasonable price.
    — Nena Farrell, Wired News, 3 May 2025
  • More importantly, Senators fans should embrace being a fan base with reasonable and growing expectations after years without them.
    — Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Definition of reasonable
Adjective
  • Cam McCarthy led a balanced attack with four goals and an assist as St. John’s Prep (14-1) defeated St. John’s Shrewsbury 18-3 in the Catholic Conference.
    — Kristina Banahan, Boston Herald, 10 May 2025
  • Its products are built to serve without drawing too much attention, creating a space that feels measured, balanced, and personal.
    — Jon Stojan, USA Today, 10 May 2025
Definition of balanced
Adjective
  • While pineapple can be part of a healthy diet, its natural sugar content may concern people with diabetes.
    — Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 9 May 2025
  • This strategy does not entail players deliberately losing on the basketball court, but rather teams depleting their rosters and resting players who are healthy enough to compete.
    — Mark LaSota, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Definition of healthy
Adjective
  • With any luck these sensible changes will not be casualties of Trump’s high-risk omnibus strategy.
    — Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 10 May 2025
  • Another year for Howard, who made nine league starts due to injury and loss of form among his younger peers, seems sensible, along with a loan elsewhere for Luke McNicholas.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 9 May 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 18 May. 2025.

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