prudent.

Showing sound judgment by considering likely risks and consequences before acting.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• a prudent choice
• prudent precautions

On the page

A prudent inspection revealed the loose fitting before the voyage began.

She thought silence prudent until the letter had been read.

Usage notes

Primary category: literary. Forms: Comparative more prudent; superlative most prudent where gradation is meaningful. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings.