sagely

[seyj-lee]

adverb

1. with a knowing or thoughtful expression; in a way that suggests careful reflection.

   By way of response, my father only puffed on his pipe and nodded sagely.

2. in a wise or judicious way; insightfully.

   As someone has sagely pointed out, today's idiot will be tomorrow's beacon of truth.

adjective

1. Rare.,  wise or judicious; insightful.

   A lot of people think that, like a sagely seaman who acquires wisdom and whiskers as his years trickle away on the sea, all traditions gain value as they age.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sagely¹

sage ¹ + -ly

Example Sentences

At one point, Mr. Loomis quotes his protagonist sagely predicting, “we’ll have a depression . . . and it will be the end of an era.”

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“It is for howling, though,” said Beowulf sagely.

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Netflix sagely announced that “The Sandman” would end after Season 2.

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Lewis sagely places his narrative squarely on Manuel’s shoulders, affording the reader the experience of strolling in the musician’s footsteps at key moments in The Band’s career.

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Labour has nodded sagely at the urgency of the issue.

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Related Words

• carefully 
• intelligently www.thesaurus.com
• judiciously 
• sensibly www.thesaurus.com
• shrewdly www.thesaurus.com