conventional wisdom

noun

: the generally accepted belief, opinion, judgment, or prediction about a particular matter

Examples of conventional wisdom in a Sentence

Conventional wisdom in Hollywood says that a movie can't succeed unless it stars a famous actor or actress.
Recent Examples on the Web Such complaints strike me as short-sighted: Radically simple demands continue to succeed in slicing through hardened policy and conventional wisdom and opening up space for genuine reform. Christopher Hawthorne, The New Yorker, 12 Sep. 2023 Going in, conventional wisdom said the other candidates would attack him. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 24 Aug. 2023 This amazing invention goes above and beyond expectations and refutes conventional wisdom about what is possible in the CBD sector. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 27 July 2023 Sanchez’s unique approach to investing is centered on appreciation, not cash flow, a contrarian viewpoint that upends conventional wisdom. Nick Kasmik, USA TODAY, 20 July 2023 The conventional wisdom asks: How can Donald Trump simultaneously participate in all these criminal trials and run for president? Michael Tomasky, The New Republic, 28 Aug. 2023 That said, a failure of imagination turned the idea that Trump could never win in 2016 into faulty conventional wisdom. Nbc Universal, NBC News, 27 Aug. 2023 The conventional wisdom has now solidified that, whatever his legal peril, the indictments are somehow a great thing for Trump’s 2024 G.O.P. campaign, boosting his polling, fund-raising, and coverage in the fawning right-wing media. Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2023 Now, the conventional wisdom has swung in the other direction, declaring that Trump’s hold on his party will never die. David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'conventional wisdom.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of conventional wisdom was in 1838

Dictionary Entries Near conventional wisdom

Cite this Entry

“Conventional wisdom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conventional%20wisdom. Accessed 26 Sep. 2023.

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