unwise Hear it!

unwise Definition

un·wise (un wīz, unwīz′)

adjective

having or showing a lack of wisdom or sound judgment; foolish; imprudent

Etymology: ME < OE unwis: see un- & wise

unwise Related Forms
un·wisely adverb
unwise Synonyms

unwise

modif.

ill-considered, ill-advised, rash; see stupid 1.

unwise Usage Examples

Infinitive complement

  • rely: It may be unwise to rely on these initiatives alone.
  • underestimate: It would be unwise to underestimate the amount of work which still lies waiting to be done in Northern Ireland.
  • generalize: It is unwise to generalize on such matters: it is a subject best left to the good sense of trial judges.
  • assume: It would be unwise to assume that these pictures represent real boats.
  • ignore: Universities too would be unwise to ignore the changes taking place.
  • attempt: It is unwise to attempt to make brushes from spare blocks of carbon.

Modifying Another Word

  • politically: It would have been intellectually wasteful, and politically unwise, to try to set out in a new direction.
  • perhaps: And it was perhaps unwise of me to ask if the man had any identification with him - which he promptly produced.
  • extremely: It would be an extremely unwise Minister who ever withheld such information.
  • probably: However, it is probably unwise for a casual workstation to bridge fragments of the local domain which have become temporarily isolated.
  • very: Very unwise such liberal use, causes skin, liver & circulatory ailments.
  • rather: Was Caleb rather unwise to follow the Lord fully?

Used with adjective complement

  • seem: This seems very unwise, to say the least.
  • prove: Attempts by officials to stop the Optimists having a water fight proved unwise, provoking a wet response.
  • consider: However, the idea that two teenagers would marry today is now often considered unwise by many people.

Modifies a noun

  • decision: In the first case, it is shown at least that I have made an unwise pricing decision.
  • investment: In fact in my opinion and that of other leading IFAs in the UK this is an unwise investment.
  • choice: It would be a very unwise choice on FOX's part to cancel it.
  • move: An unwise move, for keeping a greyhound or setter could cost a 40 shilling ( £ 2 ) fine under anti-poaching laws.
  • thing: Always an unwise thing to do to a songwriter, don't you think?
unwise Quotes

But thesouls of therighteous are inthehand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, And their going from us to be utter destruction: but theyare in peace. For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. And having beena little chastised,theyshall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself.

—Bible (Apocrypha)

Browse dictionary entries near unwise

  1. unwind a trade
  2. unwind
  3. unwillingly
  4. unwilling
  5. unwieldy
  6. unwholesome
  7. unwept
  8. unwell
  9. unwelcome
  10. unwearied
  1. unwisely
  2. unwish
  3. unwitting
  4. unwittingly
  5. unwonted
  6. unworldly
  7. unworthy
  8. unwound
  9. unwrap
  10. unwritten