Judicious
adj.thoughtful, calmformal
What it means
Showing sound judgment through careful, proportionate choice.
Reach for it when praising a decision that weighs evidence, consequences, and restraint
A judicious pause gave the panel time to check the evidence.
Choose between these
7- playful
practical know-how produces an effective choice
not when Savvy may serve self-interest and sounds flippant in a moral judgment.
- everyday
the choice is practical and easy to defend
not when Sensible is less exact about evidence and competing consequences.
- warm
experience and humane perspective guide the choice
not when Wise is broader and stronger than one well-judged decision establishes.
- professional
fine differences among options are recognized
not when Discernment supports selection but does not guarantee action is proportionate.
- professional
the response avoids both excess and neglect
not when Measured describes degree and tone more than the quality of reasoning.
- formal
careful risk avoidance is the central merit
not when Prudent may be too cautious when proportionate boldness is needed.
- formal
good counsel or consideration supports the course
not when Well-advised may credit advisers and does not describe the person's own judgment.
Said against
3- reckless
- foolish
- indiscriminate
It naturally appears in
3- judicious choice
A judicious choice preserved the old frame and replaced the unsafe joint.
- judicious use
Judicious use of reserves kept emergency funds available.
- judicious balance
The design strikes a judicious balance between access and conservation.
The word family
2Where this comes from
- Wiktionary, English adjective sense: having or showing sound judgment opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.