prudent

prudent 1 judicious, sensible, sane, *wise, sage, sapient

Analogous words: *intelligent, brilliant, bright, smart, alert: *shrewd, perspicacious, sagacious, astute: disciplined, schooled (see TEACH)

2 provident, foresighted, forethoughtful, discreet (see under PRUDENCE)

Analogous words: *cautious, circumspect, calculating, wary: politic, *expedient, advisable: economical, frugal, thrifty, *sparing

3 Prudent, prudential are sometimes confused in use.

Prudent applies to persons or their acts or utterances and implies such qualities of mind or character as caution, circumspection, and thrift (see prudent under PRUDENCE) or as wisdom in practical affairs (see WISE)

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a prudent man

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a prudent course

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a prudent way of life

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people who are both dissolute and prudent. They want to have their fun, and they want to keep their position— Sackville-West

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Prudential, on the other hand, applies not to individuals but either to habits, motives, policies, or considerations which are dictated or prescribed by prudence, forethought, business sense, or practical wisdom

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in a prudential light it is certainly a very good match for her— A usten

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from obvious prudential considerations the Pacific has been principally sailed over in known tracts— Melville

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or to committees, groups, or associations having charge of practical affairs such as expenditures or exercising discretionary or advisory powers in regard to these

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a prudential investment society

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the prudential committee of a Congregational church

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Analogous words: politic, *expedient, advisable: advising, counseling (see corresponding verbs under ADVICE)