WordGarden.iounwisely
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ʌnwˈaɪzli/
US
- /ənˈwaɪzli/
Meanings
Adverb
in a way that shows poor judgment or little practical wisdom
Beyond the definition
To act unwisely means to make a choice without good judgment or without thinking far enough ahead. It is what happens when someone does something they probably should not do and may regret later. Imagine a character in a story who ignores every warning and walks alone into a dark forest. That character is acting unwisely. The word usually points to poor judgment, not bad intent.
You might unwisely trust a stranger with your house keys or unwisely spend a whole month's rent on one night of celebration. The opposite is wisely, which means making careful, thoughtful choices. In stories, when someone acts unwisely, it often signals that trouble is coming.
"Unwisely" describes doing something without enough care, thought, or good judgment. It usually suggests that the person did not stop to consider the risks or the likely result. The action is often tempting in the moment, but it points toward trouble later.
For example, someone might unwisely invest all their savings in a risky market, reveal a secret to a person who cannot be trusted, or ignore clear advice before making an important choice. In each case, the problem is not usually cruelty or evil intent. The problem is poor judgment.
The word often fits impulsive actions, careless choices, and decisions made without enough planning. It is stronger than simply saying that something was a mistake. A mistake can be small or accidental, but acting unwisely suggests that a better choice was possible and should have been seen.
In stories, this word often hints that a bad outcome is on the way. If a narrator says a character acted unwisely, the reader expects consequences. Overall, "unwisely" is about choosing a path that feels easy, exciting, or convenient now, but leads to problems because it was not guided by good sense.
Examples
- 1
Personal finance
He spent his savings unwisely and had nothing left for rent.
- 2
Legal agreement
She unwisely agreed to sign the contract without reading it first.
- 3
Business meeting
He spoke unwisely in the meeting and offended two clients.
- 4
Consumer assumptions
Many buyers unwisely assume that a higher price always means better quality.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Public policy
The government acted unwisely by cutting training programs during a labor shortage.
See also
Similar
- foolishly
- imprudently
- ill-advisedly
Shades of meaning
- recklessly
- rashly
- shortsightedly
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- act unwisely
- choose unwisely
- spend unwisely
Word family
Explore
- judgment
- risk-taking
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- unwiselyadverb