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

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

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 This changing of the rules used by music charts has become seen in the industry as common sense in recent years. — Billboard Japan, Billboard, 29 Dec. 2021 What passes as common sense in New York or Hawaii often contradicts the prevailing wisdom in Texas or Wyoming — and vice versa. — Steve Chapman, chicagotribune.com, 29 Sep. 2021 So when trying to predict the unpredictable, use common sense and cut out the noise, the marketers, the salespeople, the negative media and listen to your clients. — Collin Mcdowell, Forbes, 31 Aug. 2021 His speech was certainly a masterpiece of demagoguery masquerading as common sense. — Robert H. Bork Jr., WSJ, 12 July 2021 Regardless if there are mandates or not, some suggestions to avoid COVID are common sense. — Mike Preston, baltimoresun.com, 1 Jan. 2022 Some of what Delos offers—air quality monitoring, access to outdoor space—is common sense. — Molly Osberg, The New Republic, 15 Dec. 2021 His bulletins — posted on the Police Department’s website, shared on social media and emailed to subscribers — have become known for their comical asides and straightforward common sense. — Peggy O’hare, San Antonio Express-News, 27 Dec. 2021 Many, including church officials, considered Ms. Emerman inflexible and her stance a prime example of an out-of-control bureaucracy trumping common sense. — New York Times, 22 Dec. 2021

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.