unwise

/ˌʌnˈwaɪz/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌʌnˈwaɪz/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌən-ˈwīz/ (ame, mw)

unwise — adjective

  • unwisepositive
  • more unwisecomparative
  • most unwisesuperlative

1. based on or resulting from poor judgment, so that something bad or unpleasant is

1.形容詞B1
釋義

based on or resulting from poor judgment, so that something bad or unpleasant is likely to happen — for example, taking out a loan you have no way of repaying, or driving home after drinking at a party.

例句

Ramón thought it was unwise to invest all his savings in a single company.

it + be + unwise + to-infinitive

It would be unwise for Hoa to leave her job before finding another one.

it + be + unwise + for + person + to-infinitive

同義詞
  • foolish

    More emotionally charged and judgmental; implies the person should have known better.

  • imprudent

    More formal; focuses on lack of caution or forethought rather than lack of intelligence.

  • inadvisable

    Describes the action rather than the person; less direct and slightly more polite.

反義詞
  • wise

    Direct opposite; showing good judgment based on experience and knowledge.

  • prudent

    Careful and sensible, especially about avoiding unnecessary risks.

  • advisable

    Recommended as the best course of action in the circumstances.

文法句型

it + be + unwise + to-infinitive

unwise + noun

be + unwise + for + person + to-infinitive

consider/call/think + noun/pronoun + unwise

用法筆記

Common in both attributive position (an unwise decision) and predicative position (the decision was unwise). The to-infinitive pattern (it is unwise to…) is the most frequent construction. Stronger than 'not wise' — it implies an active error in judgment rather than a merely suboptimal choice.

常見錯誤

❌She made an unwise decision when she chose the cheaper phone.
✅She made an unwise decision when she took out a loan she could not repay.
💡'unwise' implies a clear risk of harm or loss, not just a less-than-ideal preference.
❌It is unwise for he to go alone.
✅It is unwise for him to go alone.
💡After the preposition 'for', use the object pronoun 'him'.
❌That was a very unwise idea.' (overusing as mild criticism)
✅That was an unwise idea
💡we could have lost all our money.' — 'unwise' is stronger than most learners expect; reserve it for genuinely risky or ill-judged actions.