Prudent — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈprü-dᵊnt/ pru·dent

Meaning & Definition of Prudent

Prudent (adjective)

  1. characterized by, arising from, or showing prudence
  2. marked by wisdom, judiciousness, or restraint
  3. having or showing good judgment or restraint (as in matters of business or conduct), cautious, circumspect

Prudent (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having or showing good judgment and restraint especially in conduct or speech

    "her calm response was very prudent under the circumstances"

    similar: discreet, intelligent, judgmatic, judicious
    related: cautious, chary, circumspect, cozy, forehanded, foresighted, foresightful, forethoughtful, discerning, discriminating, sage, sane, sapient, senseful, sensible, wise, canny, provident, astute, perspicacious, sagacious, shrewd
    opposite: imprudent, indiscreet, injudicious
    near: careless, heedless, incautious, rash, improvident, shortsighted, foolish, unwise

  2. suitable for bringing about a desired result under the circumstances

    "it wouldn't be prudent to ask for a raise while the company is having financial troubles"

    similar: advisable, desirable, expedient, judicious, politic, tactical, wise
    related: advantageous, beneficial, profitable, useful, utilitarian, feasible, possible, practicable, practical, opportune, seasonable, timely, opportunistic, self-seeking
    opposite: impolitic, imprudent, inadvisable, inexpedient, injudicious, unwise
    near: impractical, profitless, unfeasible, unprofitable, inopportune, unseasonable, untimely

  3. having or showing deep understanding and intelligent application of knowledge

    "her many years of experience as a social worker have made her a prudent judge of character"

    similar: discerning, insightful, perceptive, sagacious, sage, sapient, wise
    related: acute, penetrating, percipient, perspicacious, experienced, discriminating, discriminative, brainy, bright, brilliant, clever, intelligent, keen, nimble, quick, quick-witted, smart, cerebral, erudite, knowledgeable, learned, literate, scholarly, astute, clearheaded, piercing, sharp, shrewd, contemplative, reflective, thoughtful
    opposite: unperceptive, unwise
    near: dense, dull, obtuse, purblind, woodenheaded, brainless, dumb, feebleminded, foolish, idiotic, imbecile, knuckleheaded, moronic, silly, simple, slow, slow-witted, stupid, thoughtless, unintelligent, witless, undiscriminating

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Prudent

The most common words with a similar meaning to Prudent:

discreet, intelligent, judgmatic, judicious, advisable, desirable, expedient, politic, tactical, wise, discerning, insightful, perceptive, sagacious, sage, sapient

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Prudent

Words with the opposite meaning of Prudent:

imprudent, indiscreet, injudicious, impolitic, inadvisable, inexpedient, unwise, unperceptive

Related Words for Prudent

cautious, chary, circumspect, cozy, forehanded, foresighted, foresightful, forethoughtful, discriminating, sane, senseful, sensible, canny, provident, astute, perspicacious, shrewd, advantageous, beneficial, profitable, useful, utilitarian, feasible, possible, practicable, practical, opportune, seasonable, timely, opportunistic

Near Antonyms of Prudent

careless, heedless, incautious, rash, improvident, shortsighted, foolish, impractical, profitless, unfeasible, unprofitable, inopportune, unseasonable, untimely, dense, dull, obtuse, purblind, woodenheaded, brainless, dumb, feebleminded, idiotic, imbecile, knuckleheaded, moronic, silly, simple, slow, slow-witted

Word Forms of Prudent

Derived words: prudently (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Prudent

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin prudent-, prudens, contraction of provident-, providens provident

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Prudent

What does "Prudent" mean?

"Prudent" means characterized by, arising from, or showing prudence. As an adjective, it is defined as: characterized by, arising from, or showing prudence. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Prudent"?

Other words for "Prudent" include discreet, intelligent, judgmatic, judicious, advisable, desirable, expedient and politic. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Prudent" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Prudent"?

There are 73 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Prudent". Common alternatives include discreet, intelligent, judgmatic, judicious, advisable, desirable, expedient, politic, tactical and wise.

What is the opposite of "Prudent"?

Antonyms of "Prudent" include imprudent, indiscreet, injudicious, impolitic, inadvisable, inexpedient, unwise and unperceptive. Near antonyms include careless, heedless, incautious and rash.

How do you use "Prudent" in a sentence?

Examples of "Prudent" in a sentence: "her calm response was very prudent under the circumstances"; "it wouldn't be prudent to ask for a raise while the company is having financial troubles"; "her many years of experience as a social worker have made her a prudent judge of character".

Is "Prudent" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Prudent" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Prudent"?

"Prudent" is pronounced /ˈprü-dᵊnt/ and divided into syllables as pru·dent.

What is the origin of the word "Prudent"?

"Prudent" comes from Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin prudent-, prudens, contraction of provident-, providens provident. First known use: 14th century.