Cautious vs. Prudent — What's the Difference?

Showing or practicing caution; careful.

Acting with or showing care and thought for the future

Tentative or restrained; guarded

Careful or wise in handling practical matters; exercising good judgment or common sense

Using or exercising caution; careful; tentative

Characterized by or resulting from care or wisdom in practical matters or in planning for the future

Attentive to examine probable effects and consequences of acts with a view to avoid danger or misfortune; prudent; circumspect; wary; watchful; as, a cautious general.

Sagacious in adapting means to ends; circumspect in action, or in determining any line of conduct.

People who are fearful and cautious;

Practically wise, judicious, shrewd.

Showing careful forethought;

Frugal, economical.

Avoiding excess;

Sagacious in adapting means to ends; circumspect in action, or in determining any line of conduct; practically wise; judicious; careful; discreet; sensible; - opposed to rash; as, a prudent man; dictated or directed by prudence or wise forethought; evincing prudence; as, prudent behavior.

Cautious in attitude and careful in actions; prudent;

Frugal; economical; not extravagant; as, a prudent woman; prudent expenditure of money.

Unwilling to take risks

Careful and sensible; marked by sound judgment;

Showing wise self-restraint in speech and behavior especially in preserving prudent silence;