UnWISE

Unwise is an English adjective that denotes a lack of wisdom or prudent judgment. It is used to describe actions, decisions, or conduct that are likely to lead to negative outcomes or unnecessary risk. The label can apply to choices made by individuals or groups, without implying that a person is inherently foolish.

The word is formed with the negating prefix un- attached to wise, which comes from Old English wis meaning knowledgeable or prudent. Unwise has been part of English since the Middle English period, and its adverbial form is unwisely.

In usage, unwise conveys a considered evaluation of risk or prudence rather than a blanket moral judgment. It sits between neutral descriptions of poor planning and stronger terms such as imprudent, foolish, or reckless. Its tone can range from advisory to critical, depending on context, and it is common in formal writing as well as advisory or editorial contexts.

See also:

- Wise

- Prudence

- Imprudence

- Folly

- Judiciousness