prudent
Describe an action as prudent if it is the wise thing to do under the existing circumstances. If you're getting in trouble, it is probably prudent to keep your mouth closed and just listen.
If you show good and careful judgment when handling practical matters, you can be described as prudent. Similarly, a wise and well-thought-through decision or action can be called prudent. The word comes from a contracted form of the Latin prōvidēns, from the verb "to foresee." The English word provident, "wise in planning for the future," is the non-contracted descendent of the same Latin root.
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careful and sensible; marked by sound judgment“a prudent manager”“prudent rulers”“prudent hesitation”“more prudent to hide than to fight”
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Synonyms:
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careful
exercising caution or showing care or attention
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provident
providing carefully for the future
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circumspect, discreet
heedful of potential consequences
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heady, judicious, wise
marked by the exercise of good judgment or common sense in practical matters
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provident
careful in regard to your own interests
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prudential
arising from or characterized by prudence especially in business matters
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responsible
worthy of or requiring responsibility or trust; or held accountable
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wise
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
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Antonyms:
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imprudent
not prudent or wise
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careless
marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful
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improvident
not provident; not providing for the future
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ill-considered, ill-judged, improvident, shortsighted
not given careful consideration
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injudicious
lacking or showing lack of judgment or discretion; unwise
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rash
imprudently incurring risk
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foolish
devoid of good sense or judgment
- show more antonyms...
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careful
Vocabulary lists containing prudent
In this collection of twelve essays, the leader of New England's transcendentalist movement shares his philosophical ideas on different aspects of mid-nineteenth-century life. Read the full text here.
This nonfiction work tells the story of how thousands of young Russian women volunteered to be trained as pilots, navigators, and mechanics to defend their country during World War II.
Harry can't wait to return for his second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, until a house elf named Dobby warns him of terrible danger ahead. When students start turning to stone — and Harry is a prime suspect — the boy wizard must figure out what's really going on at Hogwarts.
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