conventional wisdom

noun

: the generally accepted belief, opinion, judgment, or prediction about a particular matter

Examples of conventional wisdom in a Sentence

Conventional wisdom in Hollywood says that a movie can't succeed unless it stars a famous actor or actress.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In a break from conventional wisdom, the Pedro Almodóvar movie The Room Next Door is running both of its stars, Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore, as leads. Nate Jones, Vulture, 14 Dec. 2024 When this happens, markets tend to move in the opposite direction of conventional wisdom. Brett Owens, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024 With the Ravens trailing the Chargers, 10-7, in a critical AFC showdown and facing fourth-and-1 from their own 16-yard line late in the second quarter, John Harbaugh went against conventional wisdom and decided to gamble. Brian Wacker, Baltimore Sun, 26 Nov. 2024 Contrary to the conventional wisdom that numbers are dull and uninspiring, numbers dominate our decisions — on what to buy, whom to hire and where to donate money. F.d. Flam, The Mercury News, 23 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for conventional wisdom 

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of conventional wisdom was in 1838

Dictionary Entries Near conventional wisdom

Cite this Entry

“Conventional wisdom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conventional%20wisdom. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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