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common sense

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun common sense contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of common sense are judgment, sense, and wisdom. While all these words mean "ability to reach intelligent conclusions," common sense suggests an average degree of such ability without sophistication or special knowledge.

common sense tells me it's wrong

Where would judgment be a reasonable alternative to common sense?

While the synonyms judgment and common sense are close in meaning, judgment implies sense tempered and refined by experience, training, and maturity.

they relied on her judgment for guidance

When would sense be a good substitute for common sense?

The synonyms sense and common sense are sometimes interchangeable, but sense implies a reliable ability to judge and decide with soundness, prudence, and intelligence.

a choice showing good sense

In what contexts can wisdom take the place of common sense?

The words wisdom and common sense are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, wisdom implies sense and judgment far above average.

a leader of rare wisdom

Examples Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of commonsense
Noun
This legislation is supported by a majority of our citizens and is a common sense move that is right for New Hampshire. Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025 Humble, filled with common sense and a strong backbone, Carter stood for his beliefs. Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2024 Like most things, though, staying safe on an ATV is mostly common sense. New Atlas, 26 Dec. 2024 So to presume that governments can form central banks that will in turn fund governments vandalizes common sense. John Tamny, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for commonsense 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commonsense
Adjective
  • Adding commuters to our less-congested waterways is a logical step.
    Terri Carta, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Khabib Nurmagomedov does nothing visibly wrong, and is therefore asked to leave the plane for no logical reason.
    Callum Booth, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • His insights extend beyond real estate, encompassing broader principles of financial prudence and personal development.
    Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 5 Jan. 2025
  • Their prudence is warranted since the business case supporting DEI programs and their ideological underpinnings is losing ground as more research emerges.
    Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Louisville has many places to get a book for free or at reasonable prices — libraries, local bookstores and chains including Barnes & Noble and Half Price Books.
    Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Courier-Journal, 1 Jan. 2025
  • To us, as individuals who frequently whip up 12-clove Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry and don’t bat an eye about adding about 48 cloves to our homemade Chili Crisp, Ina Garten’s viral Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic recipe seems totally reasonable.
    Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Perhaps that wisdom — with McCaskey as the only 2022 holdover on the search-party interview panel — can be applied to this search.
    Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2025
  • Think beyond popular wisdom Southern California has always been subject to drought and Santa Ana winds, primary factors for today’s fires.
    Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • That gave Israelis a sense that the country was recovering.
    Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2025
  • This allows your look to retain an a sense of effortlessness, while still showing a bit of your shape.
    Christina Holevas, Vogue, 2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The outcome of this legislative effort augurs poorly for sensible solutions to the $3.2 billion budget deficit Pritzker and lawmakers face later this year.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Although people generally agree in valuing some body parts more than others, some sensible differences may arise.
    Daniel Sznycer, The Conversation, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Our people have a horse sense for what good work is.
    Beth Greenfield, Fortune, 1 July 2024
  • His words of wisdom are tinged with wit and old-fashioned horse sense.
    Valerie Fraser Luesse, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2024
Adjective
  • The problem is that these anxieties are taking the place of rational conversation.
    James Chappel / Made by History, TIME, 3 Jan. 2025
  • When asked about his limited practice reps in Oxnard, Calif. and his zero touches in the preseason, head coach Mike McCarthy said that the team was saving the 29-year-old for the beginning of the season – a rational thought process for a player that had his fair share of mileage.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near commonsense

common schools

commonsense

common sense

Cite this Entry

“Commonsense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commonsense. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.

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