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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 Asta is the only one in this world without any magical abilities, while Yuno wields exceptional power, but both share a common dream to become the Wizard King. Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025 Cases of flu, RSV, COVID-19, and other common respiratory illnesses tend to spike as temperatures go down and the holidays approach, sending many Americans to pharmacy lines and waiting rooms to get up-to-date on immunizations. Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025 In a business move common enough in most places but not so much in New Berlin, Wausau Equipment Company will close its manufacturing plant and corporate offices in the city before the end of the year. Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025 Soft Cell were among the first widely popular synth-pop groups, creating music nearly entirely with electronics — a relative rarity in the early ‘80s that, powered by the rise of MTV, quickly became common. Jem Aswad, Variety, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for common
Recent Examples of Synonyms for common
Adjective
  • Chelsea have had their fair share of entertainers since making their debut in the tournament — the individuals who can just do something out of the ordinary to make everyone realise they are being treated to a game at the highest level.
    Simon Johnson, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The climate research nonprofit Climate Central now hosts the database and makes this information available to insurers, policy makers, broadcast meteorologists and ordinary citizens.
    Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Old Farmer's Almanac predicts near-to-above normal snowfall on the Ohio Valley's eastern side, which includes Pittsburgh and Charleston, South Carolina, and a below-normal amount on the western side, near the southern tip of Illinois.
    Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Those in the control group were simply asked to maintain their normal daily activities throughout the study and were not assigned any strength programming.
    Peter Mason, Outside, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • For more on the Las Vegas Raiders and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Phil Rinn was among those who felt the momentum needed to continue through a general strike, halting the flow of work and consumerism until substantial changes were made.
    Stephanie Murray, AZCentral.com, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The 29-time PGA Tour winner has carded three rounds in the 60s, but hasn't been able to go low enough to be among the contenders.
    Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The pair keep a relatively low profile but have collaborated on productions including Wickline’s theater project, Dukes Forever, which Hornbuckle directed.
    Alyssa Davis, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Dissent is nothing more than the expression of an opinion that varies from the prevailing or traditional view or the position held by those in power.
    Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The frustration that had been simmering throughout a dreadful collective display reached combustion levels.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • After the gang successfully takes down Godolkin by embracing supe differences and leaning on their collective power, Polarity ultimately makes the choice to stay behind, charging himself with taking care of the rest of the school’s young supes.
    Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Napier’s predecessor, Mullen, was blasted for mediocre recruiting, but mediocre facilities didn’t help his pitch.
    Matt Baker, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Grier hasn’t given McDaniel more than mediocre talent this season, but what was on the field on Sunday should have been more competitive, and that falls on McDaniel and his staff.
    Barry Jackson Updated October 19, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s another element of the current concern regarding due process that relates to the fate of poor Cinna.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 23 Oct. 2025
  • McDaniel’s debut album Lost Ones delves into his own story of growing up in a poor community in Kentucky, and dealing with mental health struggles, both personally and within his family — as well as McDaniel’s story of being saved during a past suicide attempt years ago.
    Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Common.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/common. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.

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