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Unwise Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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unwise

[ʌnˈwaɪz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

in decision making

Lacking wisdom or good judgement; foolish or imprudent.

Synonyms

foolish, imprudent, rash, reckless.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unwise

Used to describe decisions or actions that lack good judgment or are not thought through properly.

  • It was unwise to invest all your money in one stock.
  • Telling a secret to someone you don't trust is unwise.
foolish

Implying a greater degree of lack of sense or understanding, often used when someone's actions seem silly or not sensible.

  • He felt foolish for not bringing an umbrella on a rainy day.
  • Ignoring the warnings was a foolish thing to do.
imprudent

Describes behavior that is not sensible or wise, particularly in terms of being careless or ignoring potential consequences.

  • It was imprudent to drive so fast in that storm.
  • Starting a new project without a plan is imprudent.
rash

Indicates hurried or careless actions often done without thinking about possible results or risks.

  • Making a rash decision to quit your job without another offer is risky.
  • His rash words hurt everyone's feelings.
reckless

Characterizes actions that show a disregard for the danger or consequences, often with a negative connotation.

  • Reckless driving can lead to serious accidents.
  • Her reckless spending put her in debt.

Examples of usage

  • He made the unwise decision to quit his job without having another one lined up.
  • It would be unwise to invest all your savings in such a risky venture.
Context #2 | Adjective

in action

Not showing good sense or discretion; not sensible.

Synonyms

ill-advised, ill-considered, imprudent, unreasonable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unwise

When someone makes a decision or takes an action that is not thought through and likely to have negative consequences.

  • It was unwise to go hiking alone in bad weather
unreasonable

Used for actions or beliefs that are not based on good sense or logic, often implying stubbornness or a lack of fairness.

  • Her demands for immediate results were completely unreasonable
imprudent

Describes behavior or decisions that are rash and show a lack of careful judgment, often implying a certain level of carelessness.

  • It was imprudent to invest all money in a single stock
ill-advised

Used to describe actions or decisions that are not just poorly thought out but actively discouraged by reasonable advice.

  • Starting a business without a solid plan can be ill-advised
ill-considered

Refers to decisions or plans that have not been given enough thought, often resulting in negative outcomes.

  • The ill-considered comments during the meeting offended many people

Examples of usage

  • It was unwise of him to attempt to climb the mountain without proper equipment.
  • She realized it was unwise to confront her boss in front of the whole team.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'unwise'

The word 'unwise' originated from the combination of 'un-' meaning 'not' and 'wise' meaning 'having or showing experience, knowledge, and good judgement'. The concept of wisdom has always been valued throughout history, and the term 'unwise' serves as its antonym. People have long recognized the importance of making wise decisions and avoiding unwise choices to lead a successful and fulfilling life.

See also: unwisely, wisdom, wisecrack, wisely.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,723, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.