Prudence

Quick meaning: Prudence is a noun meaning Synonym of providence (“preparation for the future; foresight”).

Meaning

Synonym of providence (“preparation for the future; foresight”).

More Meanings

1. Synonym of wisdom (“an element of personal character that enables one to distinguish the wise from the unwise; wise advice”).
2. (uncountable) The quality or state of being prudent: circumspection and good judgment in knowing how best to act; (countable, archaic) an instance of this.
3. (uncountable, specifically) Synonym of frugality (“the quality of avoiding unnecessary expenditure; economy, parsimony, thrift, thriftiness”).

Example Sentences

Prudence, like experience, must be paid for.

"You mistake," cried the doctor, startled out of all his prudences; "it ought to be my business quite as much as it is yours."

Novv as I don't much chuſe to have my girls go to theſe ſort of places often, vvhich is a prudence that I dare ſay you approve as much as myſelf, I vvould vviſh to have the moſt made of them at once; […]

[U]nder pretence of carrying in a pitcher of vvater, he entered the priſon, though, his prudence having prevented him from telling the ſentinel the real motive of his viſit, he vvas obliged to make his conference vvith the priſoner a very ſhort one.

Word Forms

• prudences

Synonyms for prudence

Depending on context, synonyms include policy, sagacity, cautel, discretion, farsightedness, foresightedness.

Antonyms for prudence

Common opposites include imprudence, rashness, recklessness, unprudence.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include circumspection, discretion, discreetness, prudential, prudent, sanity.

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