Definition of: prudence

(prd′ns) noun
The quality of being prudent; sagacity; economy; discretion. Synonyms: care, carefulness, caution, circumspection, consideration, discretion, forecast, foresight, forethought, frugality, judgment, judiciousness, providence, wisdom. Care may respect only the present; prudence and providence look far ahead and sacrifice the present to the future, prudence watching, saving, guarding, providence planning, doing, preparing, and perhaps expending largely to meet the future demand. Frugality is in many cases one form of prudence. Foresight merely sees the future, and may even lead to the recklessness and desperation to which prudence and providence are strongly opposed. Forethought is thinking of the future, a consideration of what might arise. See CARE, FRUGALITY, WISDOM. Antonyms: folly, heedlessness, improvidence, imprudence, indiscretion, rashness, recklessness, thoughtlessness.