1. (a.) Characterized by prudence, caution, common since\; prudent; discreet; sometimes, selfish or pecuniary as distinguished from higher motives or influences; as, prudential motives.

2. (a.) Exercising prudence; discretionary; advisory; superintending or executive; as, a prudential committee.

3. (n.) That which relates to or demands the exercise of, discretion or prudence; -- usually in the pl.

Byzantine Machiavellian Machiavellic Scotch acute adroit arch artful astute cagey calculating careful cautious chary cheeseparing circumspect clever conserving crafty cunning cute deceitful deep deep-laid deliberate designing devious dexterous diplomatic discreet economic economical economizing feline forehanded foxy frugal gingerly guarded guileful heedful hep hesitant ingenious insidious inventive judicious knowing labor-saving leaving out nothing mindful money-saving nimble-witted noncommittal on guard overlooking no possibility parsimonious pawky penny-wise politic provident prudent prudential quick quick-witted ready regardful resourceful safe saving scheming scrimping serpentine sharp sharp-witted shifty shrewd skimping slick slim slippery slow to act sly smart smooth snaky sneaky sophistical spare sparing stealthy strategic subtile subtle supple tactical tentative thorough thrifty time-saving trickish tricksy tricky unadventurous uncommunicative undaring unenterprising unprecipitate unwasteful vulpine wary wily