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Synonyms

sane

1 American  
[seyn] / seɪn /

adjective

saner, sanest

  1. free from mental derangement; having a sound, healthy mind.

    a sane person.

  2. having or showing reason, sound judgment, or good sense.

    sane advice.
    Synonyms:
    judicious, sensible, reasonable

  3. sound; healthy.

SANE 2 American  
[seyn] / seɪn /

noun

  1. a private nationwide organization in the U.S., established in 1957, that opposes nuclear testing and advocates international peace.

sane British  
/ seɪn /

adjective

  1. sound in mind; free from mental disturbance

  2. having or showing reason, good judgment, or sound sense

  3. obsolete healthy

"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

Other Word Forms

  • nonsane adjective
  • nonsanely adverb
  • nonsaneness noun
  • sanely adverb
  • saneness noun

Etymology

Origin of sane1

First recorded in 1620–30, sane is from the Latin word sānus healthy

Origin of SANE2

Official shortening of its byname Committee for a Sane Nuclear Policy

Explanation

A sane person doesn't have any screws loose — in other words, they're free of mental illness and in a reasonable state of mind. You probably know that the word insane means crazy. Well, the opposite of insane is sane — or not crazy. A sane person is of sound mind and is mentally healthy. Sane people have good judgment, are reasonable, and can tell the difference between what's real and imagined. Whenever someone commits a crime or does something totally outlandish, people usually wonder if they're sane or not.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

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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.

“It’s about conserving gas and also trying to make sure I end up in a neighborhood where I can gas up for a sane price.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

"It keeps me sane, keeps my mind at ease," he said.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

We need the lull to keep us sane, and more importantly, give us time to settle within our own bodies and minds.

From Salon • Feb. 18, 2026

Is there a way to stay sane and committed in a role you would rather ditch while waiting for a new chance to come around?

From Barron's • Feb. 7, 2026

Although if they were sane, they were scared.

From "The Dead and the Gone" by Susan Beth Pfeffer

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.