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sensibly

sensibly

15 3.7
In a way that shows good judgment and practical choices
  • adverb
  • /ˈsɛn.sə.bli/
translation icon : sensatamente
  • "Individuals talk sensibly in such a state, yet they also become proud and express their inner thoughts."
  • behaving sensibly
  • talk sensibly
  • speak sensibly

It has to be done sensibly, legally, peacefully and properly.

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Examples

  • People say things in anger they don't really mean, and you just have to remain calm, and talk things over sensibly.

  • I would look after it and solve any problems sensibly and right away as they came along.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Let us address this problem sensibly on a business basis.

  • "Sensibly, Grace chose to hope for the best rather than fear the worst,"

  • I'm gonna talk to him sensibly and directly, and I know he will change.

  • I'm sure we can handle this sensibly.

  • It has to be done sensibly, legally, peacefully and properly.

  • Norman Podhoretz once remarked, quite sensibly, that America is a country where it does not matter who your father was.

    Academic text (2002)
  • If you'd eaten more sensibly, like your copilot, we probably wouldn't be having this conversation.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • To solve the issue efficiently, we should approach it sensibly and weigh all options.

Synonyms

wisely
vssensibly
112 2.3

To act with good sense and careful thought

is more about solving everyday problems through practical action
reasonably
vssensibly
72 2.4

In a sensible way that shows good judgment

is more focused on practical action and everyday usefulness
logically
vssensibly
70 3.7

You think clearly and sensibly to reach a reasonable answer

is less formal, focusing on workable practical choices rather than formal logic
rationally
vssensibly
56 3.9

In a clear, reasonable way based on facts

is more concerned with practical usefulness than pure factual reasoning
intelligently
vssensibly
28 3.7

In a smart way that shows good sense

is more about practical, useful choices rather than clever analysis
conservatively
vssensibly
17 5.0

In a careful way that avoids risk

is broader, focusing on sound practical results rather than restrained behavior
prudently
vssensibly
8 5.0

In a careful way to avoid future problems

is more about simple practical good decisions than long term risk avoidance
judiciously
vssensibly
7 6.5

In a careful, thoughtful way that makes good choices

is more about practical, everyday usefulness and applied common sense
pragmatically
vssensibly
5 5.4

In a practical way that focuses on what works

is similar but more about everyday good sense than pure practicality
sagely
vssensibly
3 6.3

In a wise and thoughtful way

is nearer to ordinary practical good sense than lofty thoughtful counsel
astutely
vssensibly
3 6.5

In a clever, careful way that shows good sense

is more about plain practical judgement than taking advantage of details
sanely
vssensibly
1 4.1

In a calm, sensible way while thinking clearly

is more about practical everyday judgement than merely mental normality
prudentially
vssensibly
  • Formal
1 7.7

In a careful, sensible way to avoid risk

is broader, covering common sense choices beyond specific problem prevention
circumspectly
vssensibly
  • Formal
1 8.3

To act carefully after thinking about possible problems and results

is less formal, more about straightforward practical judgement than full caution
measuredly
vssensibly
6.6

In a careful, slow way without hurry

is about useful practical choices, not just the slow deliberate tempo

Antonyms

4 6.0

In a way that has no good reason or purpose

How Sensible

wisely
112 2.3
prudently
8 5.0
sensibly
15 3.7
reasonably
72 2.4

Surface Forms

sensibly positive

Morphology

sensibly = sensible (transparent) = sense + ible + ly

The adverb is a regular formation from the adjective 'sensible', whose meaning is readily recoverable from 'sense' plus the adjective-forming suffix '-ible'.

Etymology

Sensibly comes from the same root as sense, which means 'feeling' or 'good judgment'. So to act sensibly is to use your 'sense' and do things with care and practical thought.