Synonyms

prudently

American

[prood-nt-lee] / ˈprud nt li /

adverb

in a wise, judicious, discreet, or careful manner.

Donors want their charitable gifts to be invested prudently and managed professionally.
For the moment, scientists are prudently refraining from making sweeping assertions, insisting on the need for further research.

Other Word Forms

nonprudently adverb
preprudently adverb
unprudently adverb

Etymology

Origin of prudently

prudent ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The 1974 Employee Retirement Income Security Act requires employers that sponsor retirement plans to manage investments prudently and solely in their beneficiaries’ interest.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

Many older Americans spent decades living below their means, minimizing debt, saving consistently and investing prudently.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2026

“We would say the tone remained optimistic around China, but the statements remained prudently conservative, which we understand,” Stifel’s Ruben Roy wrote.

From Barron's • Jan. 8, 2026

The company says it acted prudently in maintaining the safety of its system before the fire.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 30, 2025

He recognized Yossarian as the drunk who had accosted him roughly at the officers’ club one night before the first mission to Bologna, and he swung his displeasure prudently to Dunbar.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023