judicious

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "judicious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when someone is showing sound judgment, such as when making decisions or reaching conclusions. Example sentence: The CEO made a judicious decision to cut costs in order to increase profits.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The ruling is persuasive, but the relentless, exacting take-down of the logic behind same-sex marriage bans gives it the air of a great blog post or the position paper of a strident advocate rather than the judicious reasonableness of a judicial ruling.And this is what puzzles about Judge Posner's decision.

The Economist

Writing in today's FT, Pollin and Ash are careful to say this disproof doesn't mean governments can borrow "profligately", but "judicious deficit spending remains the single most effective tool we have to fight against mass unemployment caused by severe recessions".

The Guardian - Opinion

Under the circumstances it is perhaps as well that the Lord Chamberlain should have interposed a judicious veto.

The Guardian

The big deals of the late 1990s reshaped the business landscape, even if not all of them were judicious.

The Economist

In addition to the arts of field placing, motivation and bowling change, a good captain now must also possess the skill of the judicious review.

The Economist

Investors would not dream of paying a performance fee to traditional fund managers merely for matching the market return, yet they cheerfully reward private-equity managers for the same feat.Of course, the private-equity groups claim that they have stockpicking and management skills, selecting the right companies to buy and then transforming them by judicious cost-cutting and investment.

The Economist

In other words, that fine cabernet or shiraz may have been produced with a judicious addition of water.

The Economist

Mun Verney, Ralph's heir, had insisted on marrying his second cousin Mary, whom he described, not especially flatteringly, as "a solid, judicious wench".

The Economist

For the work, marvellously awash with judicious reflection on the latest scholarship though it is, is not really aimed at professional scholars.

The Economist

By passing the rises on to customers early and with some judicious hedging it also reckons that 2008 could be a bumper year, particularly if commodity prices ease in the second half.

The Economist

With judicious use of a fictional narrative he then draws the story forward, bringing in some startling new evidence for how HIV was able to spread so widely.To his credit, Mr Quammen does not shy away from the lurid question of the "next big one" that will be on readers' minds from the start.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "judicious", ensure the context highlights the quality of judgment being displayed. For example, "a "judicious" selection of investments" is more effective than simply "a selection of investments".

Common error

Avoid using "judicious" to merely mean 'careful' or 'thorough.' "Judicious" implies a blend of wisdom and informed judgment, not just diligence.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "judicious" primarily functions to modify nouns, describing actions, decisions, or policies that demonstrate sound judgment and careful consideration. Ludwig examples show its application in contexts requiring thoughtful and balanced decision-making.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "judicious" is a versatile adjective meaning 'having or showing sound judgment.' According to Ludwig, it is considered grammatically correct and is very common in writing, particularly in news and formal business contexts. It's often used to describe decisions, actions, or policies that are wise and well-considered. When using "judicious", ensure that the context genuinely reflects the presence of sound judgment, differentiating it from mere carefulness or thoroughness. Alternatives like "prudent" or "wise" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remembering these points will ensure you use "judicious" effectively and accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prudent

Emphasizes carefulness and foresight in decision-making.

wise

Focuses on the intelligence and understanding behind a decision.

sensible

Highlights the practicality and reasonability of an action.

astute

Suggests keen intelligence and shrewdness.

discreet

Emphasizes caution and maintaining confidentiality.

circumspect

Implies careful consideration of all circumstances and potential consequences.

careful

Focuses on attentiveness to detail and avoiding mistakes.

deliberate

Suggests a thoughtful and intentional approach.

rational

Highlights the logical and fact-based nature of a decision.

well-advised

Implies that the action is based on good counsel or planning.

FAQs

How to use "judicious" in a sentence?

Use "judicious" to describe actions or decisions that show good judgment or are wise and careful. For example, "The manager made a "judicious" decision to invest in new technology."

What can I say instead of "judicious"?

You can use alternatives like "prudent", "wise", or "sensible" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "judicious" or "judgmental"?

"Judicious" means showing sound judgment, while "judgmental" means being critical or disapproving. They have opposite meanings and are not interchangeable.

What's the difference between "judicious" and "cautious"?

"Cautious" implies being careful to avoid potential problems or dangers, while "judicious" implies making wise and well-considered decisions. Being cautious is a part of being "judicious".