What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sanely
Example
She reacted to the news sanely, without overreacting. [sanely: adverb]
Example
It's important to approach difficult situations sanely and with a clear head. [sanely: adverb]
sensibly
Example
It would be sensible to save some money for emergencies. [sensible: adjective]
Example
She sensibly chose to take a break when she felt overwhelmed. [sensibly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sensibly is more commonly used than sanely in everyday language, as it can be used to describe a wider range of situations and actions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sanely and sensibly?
Both sanely and sensibly are relatively formal words that may not be used in casual conversation. However, sensibly is more versatile as it can be used as both an adjective and an adverb, allowing it to be used in a wider range of contexts.