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# unwise

adjective (unwise, more unwise, most unwise)

«unwise» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

Not sensible; likely to cause trouble: "It would be unwise to swim after a big meal." [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unwise/#m1)

### In the lessons

In safety lessons pupils learn which choices are unwise, like crossing the road without looking or sharing a password. In stories, a character makes an unwise decision and has to deal with what happens. Phrases: it is unwise to, an unwise choice, an unwise decision.

### Examples

- It is unwise to walk on thin ice. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unwise/#x1)
- Sharing your password is an unwise choice. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unwise/#x2)
- Spending all your pocket money at once was unwise. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unwise/#x3)
- It would be unwise to go hiking without water. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unwise/#x4)
- The king made an unwise decision. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unwise/#x5)
- It is unwise to climb trees in a storm. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unwise/#x6)
- It is unwise to treat old friends badly for the sake of new ones. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unwise/#x7)

### Note

"Un-" means not; opposite: "wise". The adverb is "unwisely". "Unwise" is a polite, careful way to say a choice is silly or risky.

## In Jewish tradition

In Moses' song, "unwise" means a people who do not understand what God has done for them. Hosea uses it for an unwise son who will not come out in time when birth comes, a picture of Ephraim's foolishness.

**Interpretation.** The tradition reads this as a rebuke: Israel should see that the God who made them is their Father. It is a call to remember and be thankful. Hosea's picture is read as a warning to repent before it is too late.

### Examples

- Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not He thy father that hath gotten thee? hath He not made thee, and established thee? (Torah DEU.32.6, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/U/unwise/#x1)
- The throes of a travailing woman shall come upon him; he is an unwise son; for it is time he should not tarry in the place of the breaking forth of children. (Prophets HOS.13.13, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/U/unwise/#x2)

### Note

"Un-" means not; opposite: "wise". The adverb is "unwisely". "Unwise" is a polite, careful way to say a choice is silly or risky.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «unwise» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unwise/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«unwise» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/unwise.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «unwise» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/U/unwise/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«unwise» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/unwise.html) on Mova free.