prudent
[prood-nt]
- wise or judicious in practical affairs; sagacious; discreet or circumspect; sober.
- careful in providing for the future; provident: a prudent decision.
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Origin of prudent
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
reasonably, rationally, logically, shrewdly, wisely, brilliantly, judiciously, skillfully, prudently, sensibly, fairly, calmly, moderately, warily, delicately, thoroughly, laboriously, gingerly, faithfully, deliberatelyExamples from the Web for prudently
Contemporary Examples
If only other American presidents had acted so prudently before embarking on military endeavors.
For this apparently new and shiny one-state bauble is in fact a prudently discarded historical relic.
During the Cuban missile crisis of 1963, my father purchased a painting he could not then prudently afford.
But instead of prudently adjusting their behavior, they're being bizarrely short-sighted and irresponsible.
When Joan Fontaine wanted to insult Hedda Hopper, she prudently dulled the sting by making herself a target as well.
Historical Examples
And so to-night I am going to spend them, not prudently on bread, but prodigally on beer.
Ballads of a BohemianRobert W. Service
I steamed past prudently, then stopped the engines and let her drift down.
Heart of DarknessJoseph Conrad
None of his companions needed to be told how to get prudently away.
Nan of Music MountainFrank H. Spearman
Men she had vanquished; they had given her a sort of ton which she had prudently managed.
TancredBenjamin Disraeli
He no longer drank cautiously, prudently, but imprudently and recklessly.
Uncle Tom's CabinHarriet Beecher Stowe
prudent
- discreet or cautious in managing one's activities; circumspect
- practical and careful in providing for the future
- exercising good judgment or common sense
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Word Origin
C14: from Latin prūdēns far-sighted, contraction of prōvidens acting with foresight; see provident
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for prudently
prudent
adj.
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.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper