common sense

noun

Definition of common sense

: sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts So far, I've had the common sense not to tweet anything ghastly.— James Poniewozik The poker players learns that sometimes both science and common sense are wrong. There is such a thing as absolute premonition of cards, a rock bottom surety of what will happen next.— David Mamet With tsunamis, it may seem only common sense to Earth scientists to run away from (and not toward) the water when the sea is drawn rapidly down and away from the beach as a tsunami approaches. But that response is counterintuitive for most people.— Thomas C. Pierson

Other Words from common sense Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About common sense

Other Words from common sense

commonsense \ ˈkä-mən-ˈsen(t)s

\ adjective

commonsensible \ ˈkä-mən-ˈsen(t)-sə-bəl

\ adjective

commonsensical \ ˈkä-mən-ˈsen(t)-si-kəl

\ adjective

commonsensically \ ˈkä-mən-ˈsen(t)-si-k(ə-)lē

\ adverb

Synonyms & Antonyms for common sense

Synonyms

Antonyms

Choose the Right Synonym for common sense

sense, common sense, judgment, wisdom mean ability to reach intelligent conclusions. sense implies a reliable ability to judge and decide with soundness, prudence, and intelligence. a choice showing good sense common sense suggests an average degree of such ability without sophistication or special knowledge. common sense tells me it's wrong judgment implies sense tempered and refined by experience, training, and maturity. they relied on her judgment for guidance wisdom implies sense and judgment far above average. a leader of rare wisdom

Examples of common sense in a Sentence

You really should go to see a doctor if your leg hurts that much. It's just common sense! Obey the laws and use common sense when operating your boat. She's very smart but she doesn't have a lot of common sense.

Recent Examples on the Web Meanwhile, there isn’t any AI today that has a semblance of common sense and nor has any of the cognitive wonderment of robust human thinking. — Lance Eliot, Forbes, 2 May 2022 Donny, whom Fishburne plays as wise, exacting but ultimately soft-hearted, uses the moment to lecture young Bob on the importance of common sense and keeping your word in their line of business. — Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Apr. 2022 In her book Undoing the Demos: Neoliberalism’s Stealth Revolution, Wendy Brown has shown how neoliberalism is not just an economic and political system but also a governing rationality unto itself, a sort of common sense. — Charles Mccrary, The New Republic, 4 Apr. 2022 Using common sense, and realizing the small-world atmosphere of our industry, why are creatives sometimes so openly ungrateful, knowing how fast word travels in the industry? — John Daugherty, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2021 There are a lot of parental lessons buried within this story, these object lessons of how to navigate unusual circumstances by using common sense and that ever abiding sense of a quality of love. — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 10 Oct. 2021 Andrew Yang also describes himself as an advocate of common sense in policing. — Mene Ukueberuwa, WSJ, 4 June 2021 States that avoided draconian lockdowns and practiced common sense fared well. — John Fund, National Review, 11 Apr. 2022 Republicans called their proposals common sense and said Evers had no basis for vetoing them. — Patrick Marley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'common sense.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.