judicious

[ joo-dish-uhs ]

/ dʒuˈdɪʃ əs /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR judicious ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

using or showing judgment as to action or practical expediency; discreet, prudent, or politic: judicious use of one's money.

having, exercising, or characterized by good or discriminating judgment; wise, sensible, or well-advised: a judicious selection of documents.

Nearby words

judicial restraint, judicial review, judicial separation, judicially, judiciary, judicious, judiciously, judith, judo, judogi, judoka

Origin of judicious

1590–1600; < Latin jūdici(um) judgment (see judge, -ium) + -ous; compare Italian giudizioso, French judicieux

SYNONYMS FOR judicious

2 rational, reasonable, sober, sound, sagacious, enlightened, considered.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR judicious ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR judicious

1 imprudent.

2 silly, unreasonable.

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Related forms

ju·di·cious·ly, adverbju·di·cious·ness, nouno·ver·ju·di·cious, adjectiveo·ver·ju·di·cious·ly, adverb

o·ver·ju·di·cious·ness, noun

Can be confused

judicial judiciary judicious (see synonym study at the current entry)

Synonym study

1. See practical. 1, 2. See moderate. 2. 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.

Examples from the Web for judicious

And if Obama has recently sounded like a paragon of judicious oversight, the actions of his administration belie his words.
The Domestic Spying of Hoover’s FBI Is an Eerie Prequel to the NSA’s Snooping Today|Betty Medsger|March 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At a brisk, 90 minutes, Gravity is a master class not just in technical achievement, but in judicious editing.
And the Best Picture Oscar Goes to… ‘12 Years A Slave,’ ‘Gravity,’ or ‘American Hustle?’|Kevin Fallon, Marlow Stern|March 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Boyd is so judicious, both about the life and work, so utterly conscientious, that he sees every episode in the round.
Blake Bailey: How I Write|Noah Charney|March 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
That means being resolute but judicious about the use of force.
Chuck Hagel’s Experience as a Soldier Uniquely Qualifies Him to Head Defense|Matt Pottinger|January 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST

In the winery, this means long, temperature-controlled barrel fermentation, not too much stirring and judicious use of new oak.
A Burgundy Wine Feast|Sophie Menin|July 4, 2010|DAILY BEAST
It was the wise guidance, judicious and calm leadership of the men in these schools that saved the day at Atlanta.
Twenty-Five Years in the Black Belt|William James Edwards
He has married the daughter of a neighboring clergyman, who is a judicious helper and contributes to the success of the school.
Hector's Inheritance|Horatio Alger
She is too amiable to desire what would make me unhappy, and too judicious to wish to step beyond the sphere of her sex.
Woman in the Nineteenth Century|Margaret Fuller Ossoli
It is particularly abundant in the New Forest, where scores may be taken in a single night by judicious sugaring.
Butterflies and Moths|William S. Furneaux
My versatile mind turns to the seven years of judicious Badness.
The Story of Mary MacLane|Mary MacLane

British Dictionary definitions for judicious

judicious

/ (dʒuːˈdɪʃəs) /

adjective

having or proceeding from good judgment

Derived Forms

judiciously, adverbjudiciousness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012