prudent
- wise or judicious in practical affairs; sagacious; discreet or circumspect; sober.
- careful in providing for the future; provident: a prudent decision.
Origin of prudent
Synonyms for prudent
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comRelated Words for prudent
cautious, reasonable, frugal, shrewd, vigilant, discreet, sane, economical, judicious, careful, advisable, canny, circumspect, discerning, far-sighted, leery, politic, provident, sagacious, sageExamples from the Web for prudent
Contemporary Examples of prudent
There was no way to test blood for HIV, and excluding gays was a prudent move.
Bicycle riders are prudent to fear being clipped by a passing car.
It was the result of a chain of good decisions—wise, prudent, long-sighted, or, at the least, expedient choices.
It is, rather famously, not the most prudent move to get a Ph.D in philosophy.
It would be prudent to reach some kind of consensus soon, because when you collect-it-all, the next step is to automate-it-all.
Historical Examples of prudent
He resolved to be as prudent as possible, and avoid, as far as he could, any altercation with Haley.
Brave and BoldHoratio Alger
I am to be prudent and economical, of course; that's part of my trust.
Grace Harlowe's Return to Overton CampusJessie Graham Flower
A prudent person, lapsing into a dilemma, is specially discomfitted.
Weighed and WantingGeorge MacDonald
Will you permit me now to introduce you to your prudent friend and your fair enemy?
Tales And Novels, Volume 4 (of 10)Maria Edgeworth
Very strong; and he is prudent to leave that opinion in writing.
Tales And Novels, Volume 3 (of 10)Maria Edgeworth
prudent
- discreet or cautious in managing one's activities; circumspect
- practical and careful in providing for the future
- exercising good judgment or common sense
Word Origin for prudent
Word Origin and History for prudent
late 14c., from Old French prudent "with knowledge, deliberate" (c.1300), from Latin prudentem (nominative prudens) "knowing, skilled, sagacious, circumspect;" rarely in literal sense "foreseeing;" contraction of providens, present participle of providere "to foresee" (see provide). Related: Prudently.