SAGE Synonyms: 116 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'sage' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of sage are judicious , prudent , sane , sapient , sensible , and wise . While all these words mean "having or showing sound judgment," sage suggests wide experience, great learning, and wisdom. // the sage advice of my father

Q: When can 'judicious' be used instead of 'sage'?

The words judicious and sage can be used in similar contexts, but judicious stresses a capacity for reaching wise decisions or just conclusions. // judicious parents using kindness and discipline in equal measure

Q: When would 'prudent' be a good substitute for 'sage'?

Although the words prudent and sage have much in common, prudent suggests the exercise of restraint guided by sound practical wisdom and discretion. // a prudent decision to wait out the storm

Q: When could 'sane' be used to replace 'sage'?

The meanings of sane and sage largely overlap; however, sane stresses mental soundness, rationality, and levelheadedness. // remained sane even in times of crises

Q: When is 'sapient' a more appropriate choice than 'sage'?

In some situations, the words sapient and sage are roughly equivalent. However, sapient suggests great sagacity and discernment. // the sapient musings of an old philosopher

Q: When might 'sensible' be a better fit than 'sage'?

While in some cases nearly identical to sage , sensible applies to action guided and restrained by good sense and rationality. // a sensible woman who was not fooled by flattery

Q: In what contexts can 'wise' take the place of 'sage'?

The synonyms wise and sage 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

sage 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of sage

as in wise

having or showing deep understanding and intelligent application of knowledge a sage suggestion that anyone should think long and hard before deciding to marry

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sage

2 of 2

noun

ˈsāj

as in scholar

a person of deep wisdom or learning the young prince made a pilgrimage to the sage, hoping to learn the meaning of life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How is the word sage distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of sage are judicious, prudent, sane, sapient, sensible, and wise. While all these words mean "having or showing sound judgment," sage suggests wide experience, great learning, and wisdom.

the sage advice of my father

When can judicious be used instead of sage?

The words judicious and sage can be used in similar contexts, but 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 sage?

Although the words prudent and sage have much in common, prudent suggests the exercise of restraint guided by sound practical wisdom and discretion.

a prudent decision to wait out the storm

When could sane be used to replace sage?

The meanings of sane and sage largely overlap; however, sane stresses mental soundness, rationality, and levelheadedness.

remained sane even in times of crises

When is sapient a more appropriate choice than sage?

In some situations, the words sapient and sage 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 sage?

While in some cases nearly identical to sage, 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 sage?

The synonyms wise and sage 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 sage

Adjective

Kitchen colors can be a playground to explore color, from sage green cabinets to tuxedo palettes. — Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 24 May 2026

Noun

The pastel yellow screams sunshine while sage green and blue-gray options offer cooler tones. — Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 23 Aug. 2026 The abundant mountain lilac, laurel sumac and sage kicked this to one to my favorites list. — Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sage

Adjective

And another small change may also have benefited him, both mentally and timing-wise.

— Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
And that’s both take-wise as well as diversity-wise and gender-wise and religion-wise and industry-wise.

— Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of wise

Noun

Pamela Herd and Donald Moynihan, two of the foremost scholars of American public administration, have identified three key types of administrative costs the government imposes on citizens.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026
However, some scholars have noted that the author, speaker, historical circumstances, and date of composition are difficult to determine since the psalm lacks references to any historical events in ancient Israel.

— Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of scholar

Adjective

Critics of Modi’s prudent management of Washington have not come up with a convincing alternative strategy for how India should handle the growing power imbalance with China.

— C. Raja Mohan, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026
But Newsom’s new language moves away from the prudent standard and also drops the fatality requirement.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of prudent

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sagas

sage

sagely

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“Sage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sage. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of sage

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Synonyms of sage

adjective

noun

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