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common sense

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun common sense contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of common sense are judgment, sense, and wisdom. While all these words mean "ability to reach intelligent conclusions," common sense suggests an average degree of such ability without sophistication or special knowledge.

common sense tells me it's wrong

Where would judgment be a reasonable alternative to common sense?

While the synonyms judgment and common sense are close in meaning, judgment implies sense tempered and refined by experience, training, and maturity.

they relied on her judgment for guidance

When would sense be a good substitute for common sense?

The synonyms sense and common sense are sometimes interchangeable, but sense implies a reliable ability to judge and decide with soundness, prudence, and intelligence.

a choice showing good sense

In what contexts can wisdom take the place of common sense?

The words wisdom and common sense are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, wisdom implies sense and judgment far above average.

a leader of rare wisdom

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 commonsense
Noun
González, who lives in The Roads neighborhood, said the city needs a mayor who values transparency, results and common sense above politics. Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025 This is about common sense, practicality and logistics. Josh Yohe, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025 Requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote is common sense. Bluesky Social, 11 Apr. 2025 Supporters see this strategy as common sense, while critics view it as pushing executive power too far. Henry Gass, Christian Science Monitor, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for commonsense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commonsense
Adjective
  • Schumer’s reasoning was clear and logical: a shutdown is inherently bad.
    Bradley Tusk, New York Daily News, 2 May 2025
  • That appeared to be a logical decision given that Świątek had a good chance to capture the gold medal at the Olympics with Roland Garros hosting.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • He’s now deemed heroic in adhering to the Seven Virtues -- faith, hope, charity, prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance.
    Brian T. Allen, National Review, 24 Apr. 2025
  • There is a fine line between prudence and penny-pinching.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Eureka Innova Cordless Stick Multi-Surface Vacuum for $207: This is a good stick vacuum at a reasonable price.
    Nena Farrell, Wired News, 3 May 2025
  • There is no sustainable or reasonable way to make rent costs come down for New Yorkers, particularly at the lower income bands, without simply constructing a lot more housing in general.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • However, an additional layer of wisdom has significantly enriched my perspective: Stoicism.
    Davide Sartini, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
  • The wisdom distilled in those lines, Brook personally handed over to a younger generation.
    Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • All the Gemstones’ senses of grandeur are stunning and don’t quite match up to what’s happening.
    Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 4 May 2025
  • Traveling the world to exotic destinations can be filled with excitement along with a sense of wonder and discovery.
    Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
Adjective
  • Parker rushes out to tell McGee, who's seeing Gibbs’ old truck in his parking place instead of his own sensible dad car.
    Sara Netzley, EW.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • The Sky would be a sensible target for CHSN to improve its portfolio.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Our people have a horse sense for what good work is.
    Beth Greenfield, Fortune, 1 July 2024
  • His words of wisdom are tinged with wit and old-fashioned horse sense.
    Valerie Fraser Luesse, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2024
Adjective
  • In a rational market, a CEO who delivers declining sales, shrinking margins, and alienates core customers while pursuing outside interests would see their company's stock value decline until either performance improves or leadership changes.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
  • In some, the conceit of rational or empirical investigation is coupled with a principle that resists being accounted for in that way: axioms of indifference or exhaustion; rulesof inference;principles of detachment; propertiesof between.
    Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Commonsense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commonsense. Accessed 11 May. 2025.

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