judicious

[ joo-dish-uhs ]

adjective

1. using or showing judgment as to action or practical expediency; discreet, prudent, or politic:

   judicious use of one's money.

   Antonyms: imprudent

2. having, exercising, or characterized by good or discriminating judgment; wise, sensible, or well-advised:

   a judicious selection of documents.

   Synonyms: considered, sagacious, sound, sober, reasonable, rational

   Antonyms: unreasonable, silly

judicious

/ dʒuːˈdɪʃəs /

adjective

1. having or proceeding from good judgment

Derived Forms

• juˈdiciously, adverb
• juˈdiciousness, noun

Other Words From

• ju·di·cious·ly adverb
• ju·di·cious·ness noun
• o·ver·ju·di·cious adjective
• o·ver·ju·di·cious·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of judicious¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin jūdici(um) “judgment” ( judge, -ium ) + -ous; compare Italian giudizioso, French judicieux

Synonym Study

See practical. See moderate. Judicious, judicial both refer to a balanced and wise judgment. Judicious implies the possession and use of discerning and discriminating judgment: a judicious use of one's time. Judicial has connotations of judgments made in a courtroom and refers to a fair and impartial kind of judgment: cool and judicial in examining the facts.

Example Sentences

Only rarely should they be aided by the judicious use of special military units, such as the SEALS, who are trained and designed to strike and get out.

From Time

In learning this, you may realize that you are placing too much of a marketing budget on one page when judicious use of keywords on another may yield greater results.

From Search Engine Watch

If your ultimate destination is the moon and onward to Mars, this makes a lot of sense because you can much more easily refuel at judicious locations along the way than build a new rocket.

From Singularity Hub 

On Sunday, the show lost its judicious leader, Alex Trebek, who died at age 80 after a battle with cancer.

From FiveThirtyEight

We are going to be very judicious about the use of that video, mindful that its continued use turns it into wallpaper.

From The Daily Beast

And if Obama has recently sounded like a paragon of judicious oversight, the actions of his administration belie his words.

From The Daily Beast

At a brisk, 90 minutes, Gravity is a master class not just in technical achievement, but in judicious editing.

From The Daily Beast

Boyd is so judicious, both about the life and work, so utterly conscientious, that he sees every episode in the round.

From The Daily Beast

That means being resolute but judicious about the use of force.

From The Daily Beast

The cultivation, though not always judicious, is generally thorough, there being no lack of hands nor of good will.

From Project Gutenberg

I hurried home, Tom and I composed a careful and judicious p. 47letter.

From Project Gutenberg

The plan was judicious, and executed in a manner that does great honor both to the general and the troops.

From Project Gutenberg

His poultry, equally with his horses, could have testified to the judicious attention which he bestowed upon them.

From Project Gutenberg

He at once despatched judicious instructions to his officers in Scotland and on the Borders.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• astute
• careful
• cautious
• circumspect
• considerate
• expedient
• prudent
• rational
• reasonable
• sane
• sensible
• shrewd
• skillful
• sober
• thorough