providence

prov·i·dence

noun \ˈprä-və-dən(t)s, -ˌden(t)s\

Definition of PROVIDENCE

1

a often capitalized : divine guidance or care b capitalized : God conceived as the power sustaining and guiding human destiny

2

: the quality or state of being provident

Examples of PROVIDENCE

1. <practicing its customary providence, the snowbound family was able to make the meager stores last until help arrived>
2. <had the providence to lay in supplies before the storm hit>

Origin of PROVIDENCE

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin providentia, from provident-, providens

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to PROVIDENCE

Synonyms: frugality, husbandry, parsimony, penny-pinching, economy, scrimping, skimping, thrift

Antonyms: diseconomy, wastefulness

Related Words: conservation, saving; miserliness, niggardliness, stinginess; belt-tightening, retrenchment; discretion, forehandedness, prudence; austerity, moderation, restraint, temperance

Near Antonyms: extravagance, improvidence, lavishness, prodigality, squandering

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with PROVIDENCE

common sense, confidence, evidence, no-nonsense, present tense, recompense, zone defense