conventional wisdom

noun

Definition of conventional wisdomnext
as in party line
opinions or beliefs that are held or accepted by most people Conventional wisdom in Hollywood says that a movie can't succeed unless it stars a famous actor or actress.

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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 conventional wisdom In election after election, conventional wisdom holds that the economy is the most important issue for American voters. — Howard Lafranchi, Christian Science Monitor, 6 Oct. 2026 An American had never been pope, and the prevailing conventional wisdom was that one never would be elected. — Scott Detrow, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026 The conventional wisdom in basketball has always been that rebounding and transition are principles at odds, that prioritizing one means sacrificing the other. — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 Oct. 2026 Where does our experience lead us to a different conclusion than conventional wisdom? — Amanda Simonian, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for conventional wisdom
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conventional wisdom
  1. party line
  2. generalization
  3. commonplace
  4. stereotype
  5. routine
Noun
  • Jones, a former venture capitalist and fellow Democrat, targeted the incumbent for accepting major corporate donations, following the establishment party line and tied Thompson’s congressional record to under‑investment in the district.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • In a 12-11 party line vote, Nicole Saphier — a former Fox News contributor and radiologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York — took a step closer to becoming the nation’s top doctor.
    — Rachel Roubein, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of party line
Noun
  • This makes generalization and AGI key concepts when reasoning about the speed of progress.
    — Geoffrey Irving, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The same can be demonstrated for generalizations of square grids in high dimensions.
    — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of generalization
Noun
  • Marshall responded by characterizing the practice as commonplace among area hospitals.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Wolff was only the eighth woman to drive a Formula 1 car (four more have done it since); the role, a now-commonplace one that includes driving the simulator during Grand Prix weekends to inform trackside strategy, was created for her.
    — Danielle McNally, InStyle, 28 May 2026
Definition of commonplace
Noun
  • One criticism, which mirrors a plotline in the film, is that Ali G uses the character as a cover for enforcing racial stereotypes.
    — Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The term has since become a shorthand for antisemitic depictions of greed and has been condemned for elevating offensive stereotypes about Jewish people.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of stereotype
Noun
  • The Sun enters your 6th House, beginning a month focused on routines, responsibilities, health, work, and the systems that keep everything moving.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Elective care is now part of the commercial landscape, giving residents additional options for their personal wellness routine.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of routine

Browse Nearby Words

conventionally
conventional wisdom
conventional wisdoms
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Cite this Entry

“Conventional wisdom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conventional%20wisdom. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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