unwise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unwise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a decision or action that is not sensible or prudent. Example: "Investing all your savings in a single stock is unwise and could lead to significant financial loss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Surely any objective assessment would judge these to be among the most unwise cuts of all?

The Guardian

The contrast with David Cameron's unwise election pledge is instructive: under pressure in the TV debates the Tory leader promised to protect pensioners' perks, winter fuel money and bus passes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Related: 'Stop punishing the poor': what social care wants from the government This disparity in treatment is not only unfair, it is also unwise: a textbook case of robbing Peter to pay Paul.

The Guardian

But given the animosity shown towards him by senior Tories – just before the election, they plotted to unseat him – the Conservatives might be unwise to expect him to favour them.

The Guardian

Vice President Biden's team would be unwise to buy into this convenient line of thought.

The Guardian

Paul Goldberger, the former architecture critic of the New Yorker and former dean of the prestigious Parsons design college in New York, now a contributor to Vanity Fair, sent out a tweet saying that her lawsuit was unwise and would gain her a reputation as "the architect who sues critics".

The Guardian - Arts

Witness Boris Johnson's sarcastic column in Monday's Telegraph in which he suggested the Tories should "save the Panda" – a nickname for Miliband that emerged after an unwise description of him by the former Labour justice secretary, Jack Straw.

The Guardian

The book has courted some controversy, notably over his contention that President Obama was unwise to let his teenage daughters listen to music by Beyoncé and Jay-Z.

The Guardian

Most Lib Dems think the party would be unwise to try to form a coalition if it secures fewer than 30 seats, as it would not be able to exercise sufficient clout in government or command many senior ministerial positions.

The Guardian

Given that we live in a democracy, contempt for the electorate seems an unwise approach to persuasion.

The Guardian - Tech

Yvette Cooper said Cameron was "unwise" not to have also criticised the EDL, but foreign secretary William Hague said a PM's speech should not be shelved "because some people have chosen to march down a street".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the word "unwise", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. Is it simply a lack of wisdom, or does it imply foolishness, recklessness, or a lack of foresight? Choose the word that best fits the context.

Common error

While "unwise" is a perfectly valid word, it can sometimes sound overly formal in casual conversation or writing. In such cases, consider using a more informal alternative like "silly" or "foolish".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unwise" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something lacking wisdom or good judgment. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe actions, decisions, and policies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unwise" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective that describes something lacking wisdom or good judgment. According to Ludwig AI, it is often used to express disapproval or caution, especially in news and formal business contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and choose the most appropriate synonym to convey the intended meaning accurately. It's better to avoid the overuse of "unwise" in more casual settings. Considering these factors will help you use the term "unwise" effectively and appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

imprudent

Slightly more formal and emphasizes a lack of foresight or caution.

injudicious

Similar to "unwise" but often used in more formal contexts to describe decisions.

foolish

More direct and suggests a greater degree of silliness or lack of intelligence.

ill-advised

Focuses on the fact that someone has received and ignored bad advice.

shortsighted

Highlights a lack of consideration for the future consequences.

rash

Implies acting without thinking and potentially with negative consequences.

misguided

Suggests that the decision or action is based on incorrect or flawed information.

careless

Suggests a lack of attention or concern, leading to a poor decision.

thoughtless

Focuses on the lack of consideration for others or the situation.

indiscreet

Highlights a lack of tact or discretion, often in social situations.

FAQs

How can I use "unwise" in a sentence?

You can use "unwise" to describe actions or decisions that are not sensible or prudent. For example: "It would be "unwise" to invest all your money in a single stock."

What are some synonyms for "unwise"?

Some synonyms for "unwise" include "foolish", "imprudent", and "injudicious". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "most un-wisest decision"?

No, that is not correct. The correct phrasing would be "most "unwise" decision" or "most foolish decision". "Unwise" does not typically take a superlative form.

What's the difference between "unwise" and "reckless"?

"Unwise" generally refers to a lack of good judgment or prudence, while "reckless" implies a disregard for danger or consequences. A decision can be "unwise" without being reckless, and vice versa.