commonsense 1 of 2

Definition of commonsensenext

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
Adjective
That's why today's proposal lays out a clear, predictable, commonsense approach that's grounded in the law and the science. Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025 Democrats said the law is a commonsense safety measure to reduce mass shootings. Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
For years, the debate around this issue has been quietly deadlocked between the forces for common sense reform to dramatically lower the cost of construction, and personal injury lawyers who reap increasingly large windfalls by exploiting this law. Elizabeth Crowley, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026 This is common sense, not a political issue. Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 6 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for commonsense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commonsense
Adjective
  • On the women's side, Bianca Belair and Ripley are emerging as logical winners in early prediction pieces, though neither path is certain.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
  • French quantum startup Alice and Bob developed an innovative approach to move its logical qubit up and down, like an elevator.
    Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 21 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Arnold’s original prudence was followed by overspending.
    John Seiler, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
  • Today, similar prudence animates concerns about NATO and broader trans-Atlantic ties in an era when Europe has undergone profound transformations through mass migration, supranational governance, demographic decline, and shifting cultural priorities.
    Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • When external pressure intensifies—political, economic, or social—institutions often respond by narrowing their field of vision and toeing the line seems like the most reasonable course of action.
    Anjali Chaudhry, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
  • But Bloom’s legacy has had the unfortunate effect of making even more reasonable canon defenses look reactionary.
    Colton Valentine, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • To put all of their life experience and wisdom and trauma and triumph into every song, every performance, every photograph, painting, and sculpture.
    Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
  • That is where a core of ‘seen it all, done it all, got the T-shirt’ veterans come in, guiding the kids through the pitfalls of building a career with the benefit of their experience and wisdom.
    Andy Naylor, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • This is a time for cool, calm and reasoned debate, and for legislators to think through the consequences of legislation put forth.
    Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 15 Jan. 2026
  • The ledger is the foundation of reasoned conclusion.
    Big Think, Big Think, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • For the Staals, the technology offered a clear sense of what was happening inside Ethan just early enough to help him through it.
    Mayo Clinic News Network, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
  • This popular usage makes abundant sense.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Savvy therapists are leveraging AI in sensible and vital ways.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
  • Yet attempts to fix the problem stalled until the Legislature finally managed to pass a sensible set of performance measures for nursing programs last year.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 Jan. 2026
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

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Cite this Entry

“Commonsense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commonsense. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.

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