sense 1 of 2

noun

ˈsen(t)s How to pronounce sense (audio)
Definition of sensenext
1
as in feeling
an indefinite physical response to a stimulus a strange sense of discomfort brought on by the room's strong colors

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2
as in intellect
the ability to learn and understand or to deal with problems although he has little formal education, he is a man of considerable practical sense

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in prudence
the ability to make intelligent decisions especially in everyday matters you have the sense to handle anything that comes up

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4
as in meaning
the idea that is conveyed or intended to be conveyed to the mind by language, symbol, or action got the general sense of the poem

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5
as in reasoning
the thought processes that have been established as leading to valid solutions to problems your argument simply shows no sense

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sense

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to feel
to have a vague awareness of the deer seemed to sense danger

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2
as in to understand
to have a clear idea of I did not sense the full meaning of his cryptic warning until much later

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun sense contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sense are common sense, judgment, and wisdom. While all these words 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

Where would common sense be a reasonable alternative to sense?

The words common sense and sense can be used in similar contexts, but common sense suggests an average degree of such ability without sophistication or special knowledge.

common sense tells me it's wrong

When would judgment be a good substitute for sense?

Although the words judgment and sense have much in common, judgment implies sense tempered and refined by experience, training, and maturity.

they relied on her judgment for guidance

In what contexts can wisdom take the place of sense?

In some situations, the words wisdom and sense are roughly equivalent. However, wisdom implies sense and judgment far above average.

a leader of rare wisdom

How does the noun sense contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sense are common sense, judgment, and wisdom. While all these words 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

Where would common sense be a reasonable alternative to sense?

The words common sense and sense can be used in similar contexts, but common sense suggests an average degree of such ability without sophistication or special knowledge.

common sense tells me it's wrong

When would judgment be a good substitute for sense?

Although the words judgment and sense have much in common, judgment implies sense tempered and refined by experience, training, and maturity.

they relied on her judgment for guidance

In what contexts can wisdom take the place of sense?

In some situations, the words wisdom and sense are roughly equivalent. However, 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 sense
Noun
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. —Francine Russo, Scientific American, 28 Mar. 2026 Now that this replay fantasy has collided with a more complex, indeterminate and difficult reality, Trump is unable to explain his objectives or even give the country a sense of when the war might end. —Jamelle Bouie, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
And yet, Rachel senses, something is not right. —Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 26 Mar. 2026 For starters, the cold-sensing protein loses its natural behavior when it is extracted from cell membranes using standard laboratory detergents. —Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sense
  1. feeling
  2. intellect
  3. prudence
  4. meaning
  5. reasoning
  6. feel
  7. understand
  8. sensation
Noun
  • Security lines have remained close to pre-shutdown times, an airport spokesperson said earlier this week, but workers who are showing up report feeling burnt out and fatigued, according to interviews with The Sacramento Bee.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2026
  • The Pfizer World Headquarters conversion is already underway, and that will drop quite a few residents into the area and give it a less forlorn feeling outside of business hours.
    — Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of feeling
Noun
  • How could all their passion and intellect be allowed to go to waste?
    — Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Focusing on Young’s addiction feels reductive, especially when her catalog is filled with humor and intellect and skill.
    — Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of intellect
Noun
  • The two big investments in their front seven — particularly Phillips’ whopping four-year, $120 million deal — also meant the Panthers would have to exercise financial prudence with their other additions, at least one of which was a head-scratcher.
    — Joseph Person, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
  • This is not the time for fiscal prudence for the Sharks.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
Definition of prudence
Noun
  • The meaning of wellness travel has expanded to include everything from somatic meditation to hormone replacement therapy and grief counseling.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Mar. 2026
  • But in the excitement over human exploration of the moon, the meanings behind the missions' namesakes and the mythological figures that inspired them can get lost.
    — Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of meaning
Noun
  • And explained the reasoning behind voting against it in remarks from deputy ambassador Dan Negrea.
    — Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 26 Mar. 2026
  • This happens because planning and spatial reasoning are handled separately, allowing errors in one stage to affect the next.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of reasoning
Verb
  • Soft, adjustable lighting, outdoor rain showers with peepholes framing the scenery, incredibly comfy poolside daybeds, super-crisp sheets, open-plan bathrooms with capacious closets—everything works, but nothing feels forced or superfluous.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
  • The Charlotte Hornets found the wrong kind of déjà vu Sunday, losing a home game to the Boston Celtics that never really felt close.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of feel
Verb
  • New transparency tools aim to help travelers understand disruptions and reduce frustration during delays and cancellations.
    — Zach Wichter, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
  • And to have a guy like him who understands what the competition looks like on the floor, but is still here to kind of enhance the environment, help celebrate his teammates, give his teammates wisdom.
    — Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of understand
Noun
  • In the darkened foyer, Ember contemplated this unassuming bit of paper, momentarily paralyzed by a mixture of dread and excitement stirred together, an overpowering sensation that oozed from the crown of her head, down the length of her body, then hardened, like a soft golden resin becoming solid.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Nearly 97 percent of female respondents reported burning sensations during urination, while 45 percent described amber to brown urine—a sign of dehydration and possible kidney strain.
    — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of sensation

Phrases Containing sense

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sensations
sense
sensed
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Cite this Entry

“Sense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sense. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sense

Nglish: Translation of sense for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sense

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