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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective common contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of common are familiar, ordinary, plain, popular, and vulgar. While all these words mean "generally met with and not in any way special, strange, or unusual," common implies usual everyday quality or frequency of occurrence and may additionally suggest inferiority or coarseness.

a common error
lacked common honesty
common manners

When would familiar be a good substitute for common?

The words familiar and common are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, familiar stresses the fact of being generally known and easily recognized.

a familiar melody

In what contexts can ordinary take the place of common?

The meanings of ordinary and common largely overlap; however, ordinary stresses conformance in quality or kind with the regular order of things.

an ordinary pleasant summer day
a very ordinary sort of man

When is plain a more appropriate choice than common?

While in some cases nearly identical to common, plain is likely to suggest homely simplicity.

plain hard-working people

When might popular be a better fit than common?

Although the words popular and common have much in common, popular applies to what is accepted by or prevalent among people in general sometimes in contrast to upper classes or special groups.

a writer of popular romances

How do vulgar and popular relate to one another, in the sense of common?

Vulgar, otherwise similar to popular, is likely to carry derogatory connotations (as of inferiority or coarseness).

souvenirs designed to appeal to the vulgar taste

Example 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 common But, that actually is not a shock to researchers, since the declines are common across species, whereas increases are rare, the study said. Megan Forrester, ABC News, 7 Mar. 2025 Funny interactions between the two are common and such was the case during the TGL's latest match. Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025 The most common bacterial threats include Salmonella and E. coli, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea (often bloody), dehydration, fever, and lethargy. Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Mar. 2025 Additionally, bridge rounds remained common, particularly at the seed funding stage, though data suggests these intermediary funding rounds often serve as a warning sign – companies that raise bridge rounds are statistically less likely to secure their next primary round of startup funding. Kyle Westaway, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for common
Recent Examples of Synonyms for common
Adjective
  • Skype, the pioneering and once ubiquitous free video calling service, will be history come May.
    Scott Neuman, NPR, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Some have come out of nowhere, others have taken months to catch on, and all of them could become ubiquitous in the blink of a TikTok clip.
    Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Since my internal ultrasound had been normal just the day before, she wasn't concerned.
    Tracey Harrington McCoy, Parents, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Veterans Affairs benefits, including pensions and disability checks, would also continue as normal under a shutdown.
    Nik Popli, TIME, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The Mavericks have endured a number of injuries to their roster, and the loss of Dončić is something no one saw coming due to the ownership and general manager Nico Harrison.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
  • These three new books explore such decelerations, and seek to move from urbanism toward a more general political philosophy.
    Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • This study found that western edge residents had higher rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and breast cancer, as well as lower per capita income and higher health care costs.
    Beth Ann Malow, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Do not follow large vehicles closely - Large vehicles like trucks or buses can create a spray of water that can reduce your visibility.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacramento Bee, 8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • On a collective basis, there are other shifts to monitor.
    Henry Flynn, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
  • But, the most remarkable outpouring of generosity has come from the workers themselves, engaging in collective action to assist their colleagues.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • These are taxed at different (typically lower) rates than ordinary income.
    Heather L. Locus, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Experts will appreciate them; ordinary users can ignore them.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • And another research team, using data from 2015 to 2022, observed in an article available in Energy Research and Social Science that poor income distribution correlates with social unrest when fossil fuel subsidies are removed.
    Aldo Flores-Quiroga, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Federal workers got commendations, awards, positive reviews – and then were fired for 'poor performance' Taxes are coming.
    Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • There is a ring on my finger that, to quote Rhett Butler, is the biggest and most vulgar ring in Atlanta (Maine), and a six-course, all-cheese dinner is awaiting us afterward.
    Christine Murphy, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025
  • This goes double for vulgar and hateful content, which is a growing problem across social media.
    Ella Cerón, Parents, 27 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Common.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/common. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

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