World-wise
adj.thoughtful, resilientliterary
What it means
Experienced, perceptive, and practical about human affairs.
Reach for it when praising practical understanding gained through varied experience of people and life
The world-wise counselor offered realistic hope without empty promises.
Choose between these
6- playful
streetwise
urban practical awareness helps avoid danger
not when Streetwise is narrower and culturally coded.
- everyday
broad prior exposure is the direct fact
not when Experience does not ensure perceptive judgment.
- warm
repeated challenges have matured judgment
not when Seasoned can apply within one profession.
- professional
practical insight detects motives and advantage
not when Shrewdness can feel calculating.
- formal
refined understanding handles complexity
not when Sophistication may reflect style rather than experience.
- literary
social sophistication comes from wide exposure
not when Worldly can imply materialism or loss of innocence.
Said against
3- naive
- inexperienced
- gullible
It naturally appears in
3- world-wise mentor
The world-wise mentor taught negotiation without encouraging cynicism.
- world-wise advice
Her world-wise advice accounted for pride, fear, and practical cost.
- become world-wise
Travel helped him become world-wise while preserving his curiosity.