prudence
5 synonyms and 1 antonym for prudence, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Careful, sensible judgment, especially about practical matters and future risks.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use prudence
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
financial prudence
exercise prudence
a matter of prudence
Etymology
From Old French prudence, from Latin prudentia, a contraction of providentia, "foresight" — from providere, "to foresee, provide for."
Full origin of prudence →Frequently asked questions
What does “prudence” mean?
The word “prudence” means careful, sensible judgment, especially about practical matters and future risks. In plain terms, good judgment and caution, especially about money or risk.
How do you pronounce “prudence”?
“Prudence” is pronounced PROODNS (/ˈpɹud(ə)n(t)s/ in IPA).
How do you use “prudence” in a sentence?
Here is “prudence” used in a sentence: “Financial prudence meant they saved a portion of every paycheck.”
What is another word for “prudence”?
Words with a similar meaning to “prudence” include policy and sagacity.
What part of speech is “prudence”?
“Prudence” is a noun.
Where does the word “prudence” come from?
The word “prudence” comes from Latin. From Old French prudence, from Latin prudentia, a contraction of providentia, "foresight" — from providere, "to foresee, provide for.".
Is “prudence” a common word?
“Prudence” is an uncommon word in modern English.
