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 No sane person thinks this Cleveland offense is a quick-fix situation, which makes the job at least somewhat of a tough sell. —Zac Jackson, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026 After a full season, this is the gear that kept me sane, fit, and planted. —Benjamin Tepler, Outside, 23 Jan. 2026 And at the time, Lawrence emphasized that her friends kept her sane. —Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026 Exploring Mars is at least a saner proposition than living there permanently. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 16 Jan. 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
  • The prosecution said a medical report noted Lai’s general health condition remained stable.
    — Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Mohan highlighted that a favorable mix shift to higher capacity HDDs, stable pricing, and a focus on cost improvements could fuel gross margin above 50%, an operating margin of more than 40%, and EPS higher than $20.
    — TipRanks, CNBC, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of stable
Adjective
  • Under normal conditions, these signals go straight to the robot’s central processing unit.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Researchers around the world are now finding microplastics – tiny plastic fragments and fibers smaller than a grain of rice – in garden soils and compost products that look perfectly normal to the naked eye.
    — Dr. Avishesh Neupane, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of normal
Adjective
  • Their film casts a lucid, uncompromising, yet deeply necessary light on the spiral of violence.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Perhaps not lucid dreams, but elucidating ones.
    — Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 27 Jan. 2026
Definition of lucid
Adjective
  • Perardi tried to stay rational.
    — Matthew Bremner, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026
  • This disconnect between individual choice and individual benefit represents not merely an economic inefficiency but a philosophical failure to respect the rational agency of health care consumers.
    — Jared Rhoads, STAT, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of rational
Adjective
  • Under a reasonable definition of the SVOD market, Netflix’s market dominance is impossible to ignore.
    — Hal Singer, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Offer Choices, Within Limits Offering reasonable levels of freedom and allowing children to make choices is a great way to empower them, build confidence in their decision-making skills, and help build a sense of responsibility.
    — Alanna Gallo, Parents, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of reasonable
Adjective
  • Our affordability proposals will be part of a responsible, balanced budget because that’s what governing actually requires.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The festival is also on a solid footing for now, Tuttle says, having secured a balanced budget and around 60% of income self-generated through ticket sales, sponsorship and market activity.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of balanced
Adjective
  • The hope for a big payout could lead kidnappers to keep the victim healthy.
    — Chris Kenning, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
  • The crux of this formula is keratin, a protein shown to be vital to healthy and relatively more youthful nails.
    — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of healthy
Adjective
  • The United States, of course, not the Cuban people, who may suffer another 66 years unless sensible commentators push back.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Judges could find the NCAA’s exclusion of players who signed NBA contracts sensible considering that college sports are typically played by degree-seeking students who ordinarily spend four or five years in school and then move on to another phase of life, usually a job or grad school.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 10 Feb. 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 14 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sane

Nglish: Translation of sane for Spanish Speakers

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