common sense

noun

Definition of common sense

: sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts She's very smart but doesn't have a lot of common sense. rely on common sense for personal safety

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

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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

discreetness, discretion, gumption [chiefly dialect], horse sense, levelheadedness, nous [chiefly British], policy, prudence, sense, sensibleness, wisdom, wit

Antonyms

imprudence, indiscretion

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

This one requires a little common sense (please avoid small pools of standing water, okay?). — Adam Hurly, GQ, "How a Beach Vacation Can Be a Pro-Level Skincare Treatment," 7 Apr. 2018 The time has come to throw out political correctness and replace it with common sense. — WSJ, "A Parkland, Fla., Father’s Lonely Crusade," 18 Jan. 2019 Some are caused by the most peculiar things and others, with a little common sense, could have easily been avoided. — Samantha Brodsky, Good Housekeeping, "Dad Suffers Second-Degree Burns From Lime Juice," 7 July 2017 These all seem like sensible, common sense measures. — Jon Porter, The Verge, "Chrome will start warning users if a site might unexpectedly bill them," 8 Nov. 2018 The ideological divide between gun-loving NRA members and people who want common sense gun control legislation is a myth. — Michael Harriot, The Root, "Issa Trap: How Killer Mike Became the NRA's Token Negro," 26 Mar. 2018 Also apparently Timmy loves Edie Falco, which shows good common sense in my opinion. — Cady Drell, Marie Claire, "The Last Two Weeks in Timothée Chalamet, November 30 Edition," 30 Nov. 2018 None of this is controversial, and given that all but a small percentage of the incarcerated will be released at some point, focusing on re-entry programs is common sense. — Jason L. Riley, WSJ, "Take a Step Back on the First Step Act," 20 Nov. 2018 Ensuring vehicle safety, offering transparent pricing, and collecting essential state and municipal fees is just common sense. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, "Illinois governor vetoes bill meant to cripple rental car competition," 29 Aug. 2018

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.