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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

Examples 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
Moreover, LLMs have exhibited gaps in common sense and causal reasoning that demonstrate a uniquely human understanding of the world. Clint Boulton, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024 The Natural Resources Defense Council said the new standards are modest but vital, and the court’s decision to leave them in place is a win for common sense. L'oreal Thompson Payton, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2024 Their goal is to ensure historical buildings and neighborhoods are preserved while also coming up with common sense improvements to the city's historic zoning process. Nate Rau, Axios, 16 Oct. 2024 Crime in California is out of control, and repealing the mistakes of Proposition 47 by passing Proposition 36 is just the beginning to bringing common sense law enforcement back to our communities. Diane Dixon, Orange County Register, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for commonsense 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commonsense
Adjective
  • In so many ways, Erivo seems built to take on a song like this, not just in terms of hitting the notes but showing the way the song takes the character’s arc to the next logical step.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2024
  • These agents, unlike chatbots or copilots, can use logical reasoning and higher-level decision-making to carry out tasks, and are considered the next step in AI development.
    Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 19 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Effective management of the company’s debt-to-equity ratio and liquidity reserves will also signal financial prudence to potential investors.
    Ivan Lunegov, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
  • His commitment to fiscal prudence and his promise to voters hang in the balance with vetoing a tax-increasing budget bill emerging as his only viable option.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2024
Adjective
  • The annoyance is really the side effect or collateral damage to a presumably reasonable activity.
    Caleb Harris, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
  • While the Biden administration has made some progress on cybersecurity—establishing a national cybersecurity strategy that includes some reasonable provisions—its overall approach to AI safety through top-down bureaucratic rules remains too rigid.
    James Broughel, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Selena Gomez is sharing some special words of wisdom she’s received from her peers.
    Escher Walcott, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Entrepreneurship is the very definition of defied wisdom.
    Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Instead, in this example, refinancing down to a 20-year loan could make more sense.
    Amy Wagner and Steve Hruby, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Stretching out your arms to a bigger audience pool makes a lot of sense.
    Serenity Gibbons, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Practice finding balance Remember to also stick with habits that protect your mental health, such as maintaining a sensible sleep schedule and exercise routine.
    Jenny Taitz, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
  • After standing up to the most leftwing legislators in Sacramento in September with vetoes of multiple progressive bills, Governor Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) has followed up with another move seen as sensible by those who typically dislike the laws promulgated by the California Legislature.
    Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
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 world, this idea would have been consigned to the dumpster long ago, and forever.
    Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2024
  • That in my mind is the ultimate value of a brand creating emotional connections with consumers that transcend, rational ways of thinking.
    Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 19 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near commonsense

common schools

commonsense

common sense

Cite this Entry

“Commonsense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commonsense. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

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