sage 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of sagenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sage

2 of 2

noun

ˈsāj How to pronounce sage (audio)
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

Synonym Chooser

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
Noun
Sézane’s is made from sage green corduroy velvet, while Toast’s version is hand-stitched by artisans in West Bengal with a pretty sunflower print. —Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2026 Take the next set of steps up past thick bunches of black sage and chaparral nightshade. —Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026 In addition to the push north, more subplots sprout up in this sage saga than needles on a barrel cactus. —Miles Beller, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026 This is particularly true for shades like sage and moss. —Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 30 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sage
  1. wise
  2. scholar
  3. prudent
Adjective
  • Our colleague Jason Zengerle knew him as a young wise-guy reporter who leaned, maybe, center right.
    — David Remnick, New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Numbers-wise, Deadline reported earlier that the ceremony will include 3,500 athletes and more than 1,300 performers, feature 182 original designs, more than 1,400 costumes and 1,500 pairs of shoes, with 110 make-up artists and 70 hair stylists working behind the scenes.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of wise
Noun
  • In the face of widespread pessimism about the political fate of the United States and growing political polarization, scholars and citizens across the country are reimagining how American democracy could better serve the needs of the whole population.
    — Jennifer Lynn McCoy, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Obviously, as a scholar of the reality-television arts and sciences, this final reason is the most interesting to me.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of scholar
Adjective
  • One factor was investments in human capital, coupled with prudent economic policies.
    — Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
  • None restore the fundamental connection between prudent choice and personal benefit that would make the system self-correcting.
    — Jared Rhoads, STAT, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of prudent

Browse Nearby Words

sagas
sage
sagely
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sage. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on sage

Nglish: Translation of sage for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sage

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

'Buck naked' or 'butt naked'?

What does 'etcetera' mean?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What’s the difference between ‘cemetery’ and ‘graveyard’?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?

Why Is the Letter ‘Z’ Associated With Sleeping?

The Words of the Week - Feb. 13

Why do we call it 'ides of March'?
See More

Popular

See More

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
burrowing owl athene cunicularia tilts its head outside its burrow on marco island florida
Guess the Curious Origins of These Everyday Words Oh, that’s where that comes from…
See All