unwise

[uhn-wahyz]

adjective

more unwise, most unwise 

1. not wise; lacking in good sense or judgment; foolish; imprudent.

   an unwise choice;

   an unwise man.

unwise

/ ʌnˈwaɪz /

adjective

1. lacking wisdom or prudence; foolish

Other Word Forms

• unwisely adverb
• unwiseness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unwise¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English unwis(e), unwisse, Old English unwīs “unwise, foolish, mad, insane”; un- ¹, wise ¹

Example Sentences

Forgoing AI-generated visual media is a deliberate choice — one that many on Wall Street characterize as an unwise business move.

Read more on MarketWatch

“It’s unwise to stand in front of an onrushing train, so let’s see how this one plays out,” said John Hardy, global head of macro strategy at Saxo Bank.

Read more on Barron's

He said the woman had a "strong" and "unusual" personality and concluded that the children had been upset when "unwise and hurtful things were said about the father".

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Before the game, Dodgers baseball boss Andrew Friedman bravely faced the question of his bullpen, a mess that he created with poor winter signings and unwise midseason inactivity.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

That is the constraint that presidents experience when advisors keep them from acting on instincts that are unwise.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• foolhardy 
• foolish 
• ill-advised 
• ill-considered 
• imprudent 
• inappropriate 
• misguided 
• naive 
• reckless 
• silly 
• thoughtless 
• undesirable 
• unfortunate 
• unsound