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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
Their goal is to ensure historical buildings and neighborhoods are preserved while also coming up with common sense improvements to the city's historic zoning process. Nate Rau, Axios, 16 Oct. 2024 Crime in California is out of control, and repealing the mistakes of Proposition 47 by passing Proposition 36 is just the beginning to bringing common sense law enforcement back to our communities. Diane Dixon, Orange County Register, 15 Oct. 2024 Jung-sook, played by Kim So-yeon, is married to a man with so little common sense the family often struggles to pay the rent. Joan MacDonald, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2024 While this sounds like common sense, pantry shelves can hide things like a can of tuna that expired back in the Bush presidency or a box of crackers that were used to ring in New Year back in 2020. Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for commonsense 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commonsense
Adjective
  • Lots of people know how the beginning of the AI revolution led to replacing the idea of a CPU with a GPU: a more sophisticated and specialized type of logical processor that lent itself to machine learning and related work.
    John Werner, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
  • And after a quarter century in the National Guard, teaching, and coaching, why shouldn't the next logical step be Congress?
    Keenan Robbins, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • What Are The Candidates Missing? Healthcare spending has ballooned to levels that defy fiscal prudence, but healthcare dollars aren’t going to the people who provide it.
    Richard Menger MD MPA, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
  • The market may have wanted a more upbeat outlook for 2025 to support analysts’ projections of low-double-digit percentage earnings growth, but Danaher is known for its conservatism and prudence regarding forward guidance.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • So, the authors should consider plug-in hybrids as a reasonable interim step, while chargers move consumers to adapt to all-electric vehicles when more charging alternatives are available.
    Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
  • The legal standard is something called reasonable certainty of no harm.
    Jonquilyn Hill, Vox, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The former New York Giants quarterback will impart wisdom about how his skills under center have translated to the boardroom.
    Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Many in Democratic circles questioned the wisdom of Barack Obama calling out Black men for being lukewarm on Harris out of latent sexism.
    Philip Eliott / Detroit, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The design will focus on early Santa Clara canning days, with Ainsley Family memorabilia to give it a sense of history.
    Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
  • With the new year right around the corner, Lopez hopes to maintain a sense of balance, but also to grow.
    Jackie Fields, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Style it with sheer black tights and knee-high boots for the office, or pair it with a jean jacket and sensible sneakers for a busy weekend of fall activities.
    Emily Weaver, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024
  • The decision to bench Richardson is somewhat sensible in the short term.
    Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
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
  • But the curve also has a second family of rational points.
    Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 11 Nov. 2024
  • It can also be made more orderly, rational, and humane.
    Eladio B. Bobadilla / Made by History, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024

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 21 Nov. 2024.

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