1
as in foolish
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment
made the unwise decision to invest in a brand-new company
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inappropriate
showing poor judgment especially in personal relationships or social situations
an unwise urge to confide in total strangers
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stupid
not having or showing a deep understanding of something
a stunningly unwise observer of the political scene
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unwise
Even the most careful drivers can have a bad day, moment, or make an unwise decision.
—
Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 16 May 2025
His unwise challenge of an Evander Kane goal in Game 3 started the deluge, and the combination of his reluctance to use the guys at the end of his bench and a prevent defense mentality certainly didn’t help as the Oilers consistently outplayed the Kings in the third period and beyond.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 10 May 2025
Going after clean jobs would mean stalling economic growth in communities that helped deliver Trump a second term — a move that most would call politically unwise.
—Umair Irfan, Vox, 21 Apr. 2025
Guesses are around $30-40 as pulling a trigger on a full $70 live game would be…unwise.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unwise
Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 16 May 2025
His unwise challenge of an Evander Kane goal in Game 3 started the deluge, and the combination of his reluctance to use the guys at the end of his bench and a prevent defense mentality certainly didn’t help as the Oilers consistently outplayed the Kings in the third period and beyond.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 10 May 2025
Going after clean jobs would mean stalling economic growth in communities that helped deliver Trump a second term — a move that most would call politically unwise.
—Umair Irfan, Vox, 21 Apr. 2025
Guesses are around $30-40 as pulling a trigger on a full $70 live game would be…unwise.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unwise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwise
Adjective
-
To write off the Israeli leader would be foolish, especially with new elections not required until late 2026.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
22 May 2025
-
His writing is so human—his people are foolish in such human ways.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
21 May 2025
Adjective
-
But lingering beneath the surface of his success, Favre had a pattern of inappropriate behavior off the field, including a high-profile tabloid scandal that erupted in 2010, and most recently, the largest case of public fraud in Mississippi’s history.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
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As the rebel Jen (Michelle Williams) comes to town, and Pacey (Joshua Jackson) carries on an inappropriate relationship with his teacher, that turns out to be the case. 23.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
Not just on the training pitch but in the dorm rooms, talking about the future and giggling at stupid jokes.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
-
President Donald Trump said only stupid people would refuse a $400 million gift.—
Joe Soucheray,
Twin Cities,
17 May 2025
Adjective
-
If a couple players on the Dodgers can make a silly comment, so can the owner of the Yankees.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2025
-
The artwork is silly and exaggerated to capture youngsters’ attention.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
Still, in a world where there are not enough safeguards to keep the United States from entering imprudent wars, such legal reforms could serve the twin goals of conflict prevention and democratic accountability.—
Stephen Pomper,
Foreign Affairs,
21 Sep. 2021
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She was officially charged with a DUI and DWI, negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.—
Esther Kang,
People.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
One thing that’s been a challenge to satirists in the last 10 years is that reality has become so absurd, with the dumbest possible things happening every day, that there doesn’t always seem to be another level for satire to go to.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
28 May 2025
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Read it because existence is absurd, and laughter might be the most intelligent response available.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
Trump, who has painted past legal cases against him as an improper political use of law enforcement, has in a number of instances called for probes of his foes.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
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The report alleges a range of major violations plaguing St. Hope Public Schools — including conflicts of interests among its top officers, improper use of public funding, deficient accounting processes and the employment of a largely unqualified teaching staff.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
21 May 2025
Adjective
-
He could not be seen, just as the little black boy was not seen, or was seen inaccurately, by the unperceptive and disdainful white boy.—
Louise Glück,
The New York Review of Books,
14 Jan. 2021
-
Memory, conveyed by an unperceptive, mechanically flowing camera, seems disconnected from culture.—
Armond White,
National Review,
19 Nov. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Unwise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwise. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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