SAGE Synonyms: 116 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'sage' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of sage are judicious , prudent , sane , sapient , sensible , and wise . While all these words mean "having or showing sound judgment," sage suggests wide experience, great learning, and wisdom. // the sage advice of my father

Q: When can 'judicious' be used instead of 'sage'?

The words judicious and sage can be used in similar contexts, but judicious stresses a capacity for reaching wise decisions or just conclusions. // judicious parents using kindness and discipline in equal measure

Q: When would 'prudent' be a good substitute for 'sage'?

Although the words prudent and sage have much in common, prudent suggests the exercise of restraint guided by sound practical wisdom and discretion. // a prudent decision to wait out the storm

Q: When could 'sane' be used to replace 'sage'?

The meanings of sane and sage largely overlap; however, sane stresses mental soundness, rationality, and levelheadedness. // remained sane even in times of crises

Q: When is 'sapient' a more appropriate choice than 'sage'?

In some situations, the words sapient and sage are roughly equivalent. However, sapient suggests great sagacity and discernment. // the sapient musings of an old philosopher

Q: When might 'sensible' be a better fit than 'sage'?

While in some cases nearly identical to sage , sensible applies to action guided and restrained by good sense and rationality. // a sensible woman who was not fooled by flattery

Q: In what contexts can 'wise' take the place of 'sage'?

The synonyms wise and sage are sometimes interchangeable, but wise suggests great understanding of people and of situations and unusual discernment and judgment in dealing with them. // wise beyond his tender years

sage 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of sage

as in wise

having or showing deep understanding and intelligent application of knowledge a sage suggestion that anyone should think long and hard before deciding to marry

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sage

2 of 2

noun

ˈsāj

as in scholar

a person of deep wisdom or learning the young prince made a pilgrimage to the sage, hoping to learn the meaning of life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How is the word sage distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of sage are judicious, prudent, sane, sapient, sensible, and wise. While all these words mean "having or showing sound judgment," sage suggests wide experience, great learning, and wisdom.

the sage advice of my father

When can judicious be used instead of sage?

The words judicious and sage can be used in similar contexts, but judicious stresses a capacity for reaching wise decisions or just conclusions.

judicious parents using kindness and discipline in equal measure

When would prudent be a good substitute for sage?

Although the words prudent and sage have much in common, prudent suggests the exercise of restraint guided by sound practical wisdom and discretion.

a prudent decision to wait out the storm

When could sane be used to replace sage?

The meanings of sane and sage largely overlap; however, sane stresses mental soundness, rationality, and levelheadedness.

remained sane even in times of crises

When is sapient a more appropriate choice than sage?

In some situations, the words sapient and sage are roughly equivalent. However, sapient suggests great sagacity and discernment.

the sapient musings of an old philosopher

When might sensible be a better fit than sage?

While in some cases nearly identical to sage, sensible applies to action guided and restrained by good sense and rationality.

a sensible woman who was not fooled by flattery

In what contexts can wise take the place of sage?

The synonyms wise and sage are sometimes interchangeable, but wise suggests great understanding of people and of situations and unusual discernment and judgment in dealing with them.

wise beyond his tender years

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of sage

Adjective

Kitchen colors can be a playground to explore color, from sage green cabinets to tuxedo palettes. — Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 24 May 2026

Noun

That was the eye-opening prediction offered Wednesday by John Malone, the billionaire media mogul who has earned a reputation as a sage for his ability to anticipate the future. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026 Meanwhile, the groom wore a sage green linen suit from Bode with brown Dries Van Noten loafers. — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sage

Adjective

That ranks ninth in the Eastern Conference, expectations wise — and a little shy of the 46 wins Atlanta mustered last time around.

— Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Helen is adept at shifting blame, and a wise woman realizes when she is outgunned.

— Danielle Parker, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of wise

Noun

During that period and beyond, Hawthorne kept a series of notebooks, which scholars see as an important primary source for understanding the ideas and descriptions that informed his early writings and later novels.

— Robert S. Levine, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
For decades, hundreds of thousands of its objects were available only to scholars and curators.

— Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of scholar

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sagas

sage

sagely

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“Sage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sage. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of sage

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Synonyms of sage

adjective

noun

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