judicious

[ joo-dish-uhs ]

adjective

1. using or showing judgment as to action or practical expediency; discreet, prudent, or politic:

   judicious use of one's money.

   Antonyms: imprudent

2. having, exercising, or characterized by good or discriminating judgment; wise, sensible, or well-advised:

   a judicious selection of documents.

   Synonyms: considered, sagacious, sound, sober, reasonable, rational

   Antonyms: unreasonable, silly

judicious

/ dʒuːˈdɪʃəs /

adjective

1. having or proceeding from good judgment

Derived Forms

• juˈdiciously, adverb
• juˈdiciousness, noun

Other Words From

• ju·di·cious·ly adverb
• ju·di·cious·ness noun
• o·ver·ju·di·cious adjective
• o·ver·ju·di·cious·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of judicious¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin jūdici(um) “judgment” ( judge, -ium ) + -ous; compare Italian giudizioso, French judicieux

Synonym Study

See practical. See moderate. Judicious, judicial both refer to a balanced and wise judgment. Judicious implies the possession and use of discerning and discriminating judgment: a judicious use of one's time. Judicial has connotations of judgments made in a courtroom and refers to a fair and impartial kind of judgment: cool and judicial in examining the facts.

Example Sentences

Such was the magnitude of the case that prosecutors had to be judicious with the charges.

From BBC

The aide said that guys like me were 'in what we call the reality-based community,' which he defined as people who 'believe that solutions emerge from your judicious study of discernible reality.'

From Salon

This is not a court I would trust to be judicious when it comes to this presidential election.

From Salon

Throwing as hard as Joyce does invites peril, and the Angels are judicious in his usage.

From Los Angeles Times

Its sportscasters are more judicious with their verbosity this time around too.

From Salon

Related Words

• astute
• careful
• cautious
• circumspect
• considerate
• expedient
• prudent
• rational
• reasonable
• sane
• sensible
• shrewd
• skillful
• sober
• thorough