judicious stresses a capacity for reaching wise decisions or just conclusions.
judicious parents using kindness and discipline in equal measure
prudent suggests the exercise of restraint guided by sound practical wisdom and discretion.
a prudent decision to wait out the storm
sensible applies to action guided and restrained by good sense and rationality.
a sensible woman who was not fooled by flattery
sane stresses mental soundness, rationality, and levelheadedness.
remained sane even in times of crises
Examples of sage in a Sentence
Adjective
a sage suggestion that anyone should think long and hard before deciding to marry
the young prince made a pilgrimage to the sage, hoping to learn the meaning of life
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Adding nicely to the mix is the ever-reliable Kathy Bates, turning up often these days in supporting roles, this one as Brooke’s mother-in-law and editor who offers sage advice not just to Brooke but also her own granddaughter.—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 27 June 2024 The broad leaves of tricolor sage complement rosemary’s needle-like foliage, while adding a shifting array of color including gray-green, creamy white, and purple-pink highlights.—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 26 June 2024 That comes through with sage, pine, and citrus flavors.—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 25 June 2024 The result is a funny, insightful, and incredibly sage book that works both as a biography and a road map.—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 17 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for sage
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *sapius, from Latin sapere to taste, have good taste, be wise; akin to Oscan sipus knowing, Old Saxon ansebbian to perceive
Noun (2)
Middle English, from Anglo-French sage, salge, from Latin salvia, from salvus healthy; from its use as a medicinal herb — more at safe
Middle English sage "wise," from early French sage (same meaning), derived from Latin sapere "to be wise, taste, have good taste" — related to insipid, savant
Noun
Middle English sage "sage plant," from early French sage, salge (same meaning), from Latin salvia "sage plant used for health," from salvus "safe, healthy" — related to safe, save
: a perennial mint of the genus Salvia (S. officinalis) having grayish green pungent and aromatic leaves that are much used in flavoring foods and as a mild tonic and astringent
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