as in prudence
the ability to make intelligent decisions especially in everyday matters
an Oxford don who was long on erudition but a little short on everyday nous
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Recent Examples of nous
Alonso's coaching career has been turbocharged by his impressive tactical nous, which was the driving factor in the success of a Bayer Leverkusen side substantially less well-resourced than its rivals.
—
Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
He's credited Pep Guardiola for his tactical nous in the past, but that doesn't explain away Sevilla.
—SI.com, 2 Oct. 2019
The industry will have to use its considerable commercial nous to hit its growth targets if Brexit provokes a deep rupture with the EU.
—The Economist, 3 May 2018
Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
He's credited Pep Guardiola for his tactical nous in the past, but that doesn't explain away Sevilla.
—SI.com, 2 Oct. 2019
The industry will have to use its considerable commercial nous to hit its growth targets if Brexit provokes a deep rupture with the EU.
—The Economist, 3 May 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nous
Noun
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This was a chance for Biden to take the high road, to toe the fiscal line and display financial prudence.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
31 Aug. 2025
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The scene serves as a powerful example of prudence, which is often misunderstood, as the team faces the challenging decision of how to save and manage the energy needed to bring the module back.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The difference is the wisdom to recognize that giving away public-trust land and diminishing our quality of life forsakes the permanent greater good for the temporary benefit of a few developers and residents.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Sep. 2025
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The newlyweds' parents also shared words of wisdom.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Bryce Young has to be better After building up an immense sense of goodwill, locally and nationally, with his second-half performance from last year, Young essentially melted away in the Jacksonville heat.—
DIAMOND VENCES,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
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Giving people a greater sense of agency.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The famous wit adds a lot to a story that’s partly an earnest tango with grief, and partly an act of gossip.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
5 Sep. 2025
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Adams’ works celebrated the color and movement through vibrant geometric styles; Shrigley brought forth wit and humor through banana motifs and Stewart leaned into a trippy take on optimism through Pop-Surrealist florals.—
Emily Mercer,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Would any self-respecting show really risk insulting the viewer’s intelligence so flagrantly?—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
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Tariff anxieties continue to weigh on family office deal-making, which sunk in August by nearly 50% on a year-over-year basis, according to the private wealth intelligence platform.—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nous. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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