sane

adjective

ˈsān How to pronounce sane (audio)
Definition of sanenext
as in stable
having full use of one's mind and control over one's actions the court ruled that the woman was indeed sane when she made out her will

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sane distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of sane are judicious, prudent, sage, sapient, sensible, and wise. While all these words mean "having or showing sound judgment," sane stresses mental soundness, rationality, and levelheadedness.

remained sane even in times of crises

When might judicious be a better fit than sane?

In some situations, the words judicious and sane are roughly equivalent. However, judicious stresses a capacity for reaching wise decisions or just conclusions.

judicious parents using kindness and discipline in equal measure

When is prudent a more appropriate choice than sane?

While the synonyms prudent and sane are close in meaning, prudent suggests the exercise of restraint guided by sound practical wisdom and discretion.

a prudent decision to wait out the storm

In what contexts can sage take the place of sane?

While in some cases nearly identical to sane, sage suggests wide experience, great learning, and wisdom.

the sage advice of my father

When is it sensible to use sapient instead of sane?

Although the words sapient and sane have much in common, sapient suggests great sagacity and discernment.

the sapient musings of an old philosopher

When could sensible be used to replace sane?

The meanings of sensible and sane largely overlap; however, sensible applies to action guided and restrained by good sense and rationality.

a sensible woman who was not fooled by flattery

Where would wise be a reasonable alternative to sane?

The synonyms wise and sane 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 sane The Risk Is Not Small None of this means the valuation is sane. — Robert J. Szczerba, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026 Perhaps the sanest character is Trent, who shows off his musical chops in a bar scene, thrashing some vocals with a metal band. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 17 June 2026 The only sane way to form an opinion about a studio show is to land somewhere between being OK with it and a state of wholesale indifference. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 24 June 2026 But, the freedom loving sane people of this great country came to Karoline's defense to show support, destroy the filthy LIBS and celebrate the greatest press secretary this country has ever employed. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sane
  1. stable
  2. normal
  3. lucid
  4. rational
  5. reasonable
  6. balanced
  7. healthy
  8. sensible
Adjective
  • For a stable, repo-local script, that critique holds, and wrapping every small command in a gateway adds surface area no one needs.
    — Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • The four children and three adult victims are in stable condition, Tisch said.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Definition of stable
Adjective
  • For many women, painful periods are treated as an unfortunate but normal part of life.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 July 2026
  • Typically, El Niño is associated with wetter-than-normal conditions during the winter in Southern California.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of normal
Adjective
  • But someone was lucid enough to tie the knot that secured her to the mountain.
    — William Finnegan, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
  • Audiences peer into the heart of things, and the whole world suddenly becomes lucid.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 June 2026
Definition of lucid
Adjective
  • The value equation was rational, transactional and easy to understand.
    — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Perhaps there was a rational explanation for the man outside her apartment.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 June 2026
Definition of rational
Adjective
  • Part of what’s at work is a reasonable desire to give a party with more than its share of grizzled congressional veterans a jolt of youthful energy.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • This week prosecutors need only demonstrate that there are reasonable grounds to believe Robinson killed Kirk.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 July 2026
Definition of reasonable
Adjective
  • Whether lifting a heavy backpack, carrying grocery bags or holding a baseball bat, the middle and ring fingers help keep your grip steady and balanced.
    — Steven Lautzenheiser, The Conversation, 6 July 2026
  • Pasta salad and potato salad both consist of carbohydrates tossed with dressing and vegetables that can fit into a balanced eating plan without triggering unhealthy blood sugar spikes.
    — Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 6 July 2026
Definition of balanced
Adjective
  • Pomegranates also contain vitamin K and folate, which can help support healthy blood clotting and cell growth, respectively.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • The indexes are sitting on healthy gains for the year despite a slight pullback in June.
    — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Definition of healthy
Adjective
  • Trump taking the country to war with Iran, in part at the urging of his pal Bibi — without any sensible plan, debate, sanction from Congress or consideration as to how this might hurt Americans already struggling to make ends meet.
    — Maureen Dowd, Mercury News, 4 July 2026
  • Google says the update will roll out over the coming days and weeks, but updating manually is sensible and easy.
    — Kate O'Flaherty, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of sensible

Browse Nearby Words

sandy
sane
saneness
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Cite this Entry

“Sane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sane. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sane

Nglish: Translation of sane for Spanish Speakers

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