'Prudence' definitions:
Definition of 'prudence'
(from WordNet)
noun
Discretion in practical affairs [ant: imprudence]
noun
Knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress; "the servants showed great tact and discretion" [syn: discretion, discreetness, circumspection, prudence]
Definition of 'Prudence'
From: GCIDE
- Prudence \Pru"dence\, n. [F., fr. L. prudentia, contr. from providentia. See Prudent, and cf. Providence.] The quality or state of being prudent; wisdom in the way of caution and provision; discretion; carefulness; hence, also, economy; frugality. [1913 Webster]
- Prudence is principally in reference to actions to be done, and due means, order, seasons, and method of doing or not doing. --Sir M. Hale. [1913 Webster]
- Prudence supposes the value of the end to be assumed, and refers only to the adaptation of the means. It is the relation of right means for given ends. --Whewell. [1913 Webster]
- Syn: Wisdom; forecast; providence; considerateness; judiciousness; discretion; caution; circumspection; judgment. See Wisdom. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'prudence'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- abnegation,
- abstinence,
- acumen,
- advantage,
- advantageousness,
- advisability,
- anticipation,
- appropriateness,
- astuteness,
- austerity,
- austerity program,
- awareness,
- beneficialness,
- calculation,
- calm,
- calmness,
- canniness,
- cardinal virtues,
- care,
- careful consideration,
- carefulness,
- caution,
- cautiousness,
- chariness,
- charity,
- circumspection,
- circumspectness,
- common sense,
- conservatism,
- consideration,
- constraint,
- contemplation,
- continence,
- control,
- convenience,
- cool,
- cool judgment,
- custodianship,
- custody,
- decency,
- deliberate stages,
- deliberateness,
- deliberation,
- desirability,
- discreetness,
- discretion,
- discrimination,
- dispassion,
- eagle eye,
- economic planning,
- economicalness,
- economy,
- economy of means,
- envisagement,
- envisionment,
- evenness,
- expedience,
- expediency,
- faith,
- false economy,
- farseeingness,
- farsightedness,
- feasibility,
- fitness,
- fittingness,
- forecast,
- foreglance,
- foregleam,
- foreglimpse,
- forehandedness,
- foreseeing,
- foresight,
- foresightedness,
- forethought,
- fortitude,
- frugality,
- frugalness,
- fruitfulness,
- gentleness,
- gingerliness,
- golden mean,
- good judgment,
- good management,
- guard,
- guardedness,
- guardianship,
- happy medium,
- hedge,
- hedging,
- heed,
- heedfulness,
- hesitation,
- hope,
- husbandry,
- impartiality,
- insight,
- invigilation,
- judgement,
- judgment,
- judiciousness,
- juste-milieu,
- justice,
- keenness,
- lenity,
- longsightedness,
- looking ahead,
- lookout,
- love,
- management,
- meden agan,
- middle way,
- mildness,
- mindfulness,
- moderateness,
- moderation,
- moderationism,
- monitoring,
- natural virtues,
- neutrality,
- nonviolence,
- nothing in excess,
- observance,
- opportuneness,
- pacifism,
- parsimoniousness,
- parsimony,
- pawkiness,
- peeled eye,
- penetration,
- percentage,
- percipience,
- perspicacity,
- planning,
- policy,
- politicness,
- polity,
- precaution,
- prediction,
- preparation,
- preparedness,
- prepublication,
- presence of mind,
- preview,
- prevision,
- prior consultation,
- proctoring,
- profit,
- profitability,
- propriety,
- prospect,
- prospection,
- providence,
- provision,
- prudential administration,
- prudentialism,
- prudentialness,
- qui vive,
- readiness,
- reflection,
- reflectiveness,
- regardfulness,
- repose,
- restraint,
- rightness,
- safeness,
- safety first,
- sagaciousness,
- sagacity,
- sageness,
- sapience,
- seasonableness,
- seemliness,
- self-abnegation,
- self-control,
- self-denial,
- self-restraint,
- serenity,
- sharp eye,
- shrewdness,
- slowness to act,
- sobriety,
- solicitude,
- sound judgment,
- soundness of judgment,
- sparingness,
- stability,
- steadiness,
- stewardship,
- suitability,
- supernatural virtues,
- surveillance,
- tact,
- temperance,
- temperateness,
- tentativeness,
- theological virtues,
- thoroughness,
- thoughtfulness,
- thrift,
- thriftiness,
- tight purse strings,
- timeliness,
- tranquillity,
- uncommunicativeness,
- unexcessiveness,
- unextravagance,
- unextremeness,
- unprecipitateness,
- unwastefulness,
- usefulness,
- via media,
- vigil,
- vigilance,
- wariness,
- watch,
- watch and ward,
- watchful eye,
- watchfulness,
- watching,
- weather eye,
- weighing,
- wisdom,
- wit,
- worthwhileness