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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
The new title exemplifies one of Perry’s favorite moves, which is to present reactionary conservatism as simple common sense. Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 23 June 2025 In six-and-a-half years, the public has come to depend on Lamont to inject common sense into state government. Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2025 No matter how skillfully AI can tackle regular requests, complex emotional situations always require human empathy and common sense to de-escalate. Nataliia Onyshkevych, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025 The American Mind: Israel, Iran and Trump’s common sense. Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for commonsense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commonsense
Adjective
  • Oracle is seen as a logical partner, as the company has an existing agreement to host TikTok’s U.S. user data.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 18 June 2025
  • Neymar’s departure left Al Hilal as the logical Saudi landing spot for Mohamed Salah this summer, but the Egyptian’s decision to sign a two-year extension with Liverpool in April scuppered Plan A.
    Liam Twomey, New York Times, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • In all negotiations, prudence cannot be sacrificed.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 18 June 2025
  • Waugh: Fundamentally, Newcastle want to significantly bolster Howe’s squad while maintaining financial prudence.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 12 June 2025
Adjective
  • Recent verdicts have far exceeded historical benchmarks, and without reasonable limits, runaway jury awards threaten the city’s ability to fund essential services.
    Paul Vallas, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025
  • Conrad is a 6-3 defenseman who can skate and has shown reasonable offense in the Q.
    Corey Pronman, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • The accepted wisdom goes something like this: since the dawn of our species, human communities have been stitched together by the belonging impulse.
    Dr. Rami Kaminski, Time, 18 June 2025
  • Mihir Bose wrote the definitive book The Nine Waves: The Extraordinary Story of How India Took Over World Cricket in 2019 and disagrees with the wisdom of that Indian takeover.
    Paul Newman, New York Times, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • There is not an American President—Bill Clinton, George H. W. or George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, or Donald Trump—who has dealt with Netanyahu and not, sooner or later, come away with a lingering sense of resentment.
    David Remnick, New Yorker, 21 June 2025
  • The writers and creators tried to play down that side and ramp up Lucy’s sense of agency.
    Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • My students’ affront felt as sensible to me as expecting anatomy classes to flag each splay of flesh.
    erin Khuê Ninh June 17, Literary Hub, 17 June 2025
  • Assuming the Guardians don’t chase down the Tigers and assert themselves as a juggernaut over the next six weeks, the most sensible method of buying would be an opportunistic move to address an issue not just for 2025, but for the future.
    Zack Meisel, New York Times, 16 June 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
  • President Donald Trump’s court challenge failed during his first term because his administration did not provide the U.S. Supreme Court with a rational government basis for terminating the program.
    Darren Soto, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 June 2025
  • Confined to her bed, Isla is given to violent fits and delusional behavior, slipping in and out of rational consciousness.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 18 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Commonsense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commonsense. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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