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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
  • That makes for a logical disconnect, and palpable hypocrisy.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The logical conclusion is for the US to convert its gold holdings into bitcoin.
    Korok Ray, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 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
  • Read has pleaded not guilty, denied killing O'Keefe and alleged she is being framed, attempting to sow reasonable doubt in prosecutors' claims and asserting that someone else killed O'Keefe and had ties to and influence over the investigation.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • But looking at the right benchmarks shows that post-neoliberal economic policy—evident to a large degree in the actions of the Biden administration—righted the ship and kept the country afloat and sailing at a reasonable clip.
    Jennifer M. Harris, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Until Black Panther’s record breaking $235 million opening, conventional industry wisdom held that films with predominantly Black casts typically underperform financially overseas.
    Chris Lee, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Socrates warned that putting words on paper would destroy memory, weaken wisdom, and dull the human mind.
    Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In a sense, this ichor functioned like a power source or electricity, circulating through the robot’s bronze limbs and fueling his movements and actions.
    Sofia Giannuzzi, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Apr. 2025
  • In this sense, Biden’s brand of post-neoliberalism fed the body but not the soul.
    Jennifer M. Harris, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 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
  • The economic idea that people are purely rational, self-serving beings has been undermined by broad research over decades into psychology and behavioral economics.
    Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Listening to constituents, stakeholders, and community input to make our voices heard at the Council while balancing competing interests of other council members to bring rational discussion and mutual understanding to move ALL of Fort Worth Forward.
    Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Commonsense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commonsense. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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