advisable

1 of 2

adjective

ad·​vis·​able əd-ˈvī-zə-bəl How to pronounce advisable (audio)
Synonyms of advisablenext
: fit to be advised or done : prudent
advisability
əd-ˌvī-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce advisable (audio)
noun
advisableness
əd-ˈvī-zə-bəl-nəs How to pronounce advisable (audio)
noun
advisably
əd-ˈvī-zə-blē How to pronounce advisable (audio)
adverb

advisability

2 of 2

noun

ad·​vis·​a·​bil·​i·​ty əd-ˌvī-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce advisability (audio)
plural -es
: the quality of being advisable : desirability, expediency

Synonyms of advisable

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Adjective

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Choose the Right Synonym for advisable

expedient, politic, advisable mean dictated by practical or prudent motives.

expedient usually implies what is immediately advantageous without regard for ethics or consistent principles.

a politically expedient decision

politic stresses judiciousness and tactical value but usually implies some lack of candor or sincerity.

a politic show of interest

advisable applies to what is practical, prudent, or advantageous but lacks the derogatory implication of expedient and politic.

sometimes it's advisable to say nothing

Examples of advisable in a Sentence

Adjective My doctor said it was advisable for me to lose weight. it's never advisable to ride double on a bicycle
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Sure, more than four hits before the ninth inning against the Rockies would be advisable. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026 Wearing hats and loose-fitting clothes that cover as much skin as possible is still advisable on exceptionally hot days. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 4 June 2026 Would Hagens for McTavish and Pavel Mintyukov be doable/advisable? — Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 16 June 2026 Washing fruit in advance is not advisable; pre-washing accelerates decay. — Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for advisable

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

advise + -able

First Known Use

Adjective

1638, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1778, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of advisable was in 1638

Rhymes for advisable

See All Rhymes for advisable

Browse Nearby Words

advisability
advisable
advisableness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Advisable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/advisable. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

advisable

adjective
ad·​vis·​able əd-ˈvī-zə-bəl How to pronounce advisable (audio)
: reasonable or proper under the circumstances : wise, prudent
advisability
-ˌvī-zə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce advisable (audio)
noun
advisably
-ˈvī-zə-blē How to pronounce advisable (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on advisable

Nglish: Translation of advisable for Spanish Speakers

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