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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nous
The assessment contradicts Western conventional wisdom that Moscow has approached the conflict more as a meat grinder than with strategic nous.
—
Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2025
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
Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nous
Noun
-
Austria retained possession of Venetia, and prudence dictated to the delegates at the Congress of Vienna that continued Austrian predominance in Italy should guarantee the peninsula against French influence.—
Britannica Editors,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The two big investments in their front seven — particularly Phillips’ whopping four-year, $120 million deal — also meant the Panthers would have to exercise financial prudence with their other additions, at least one of which was a head-scratcher.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
For now, Buchanon is just focused on learning the scheme, his teammates and trying to impart some wisdom on the Horned Frogs’ younger offensive linemen.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Apr. 2026
-
As her mother, Linda Emond's Susan gets only a few moments to shine — and milks every single one for all its worth, doling out wince-worthy advice rooted in real (if outdated) wisdom, as many mothers do.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Often, this is a useful guideline, and limits, in general, are very much the friend of the fiction writer, but there are certain stories that benefit from a sense of instability.—
Nina Mesfin,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The vibe is certainly formal, but in the stylish sense of the word—don’t be afraid to make conversation with the friendly concierge or front desk staff.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Feelings of romance and wit and subversiveness are as important to her as the political background of her story.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
It’s been a quarter century since the mostly Canadian supergroup New Pornographers sprang from the florid imagination of Carl Newman, a pop savant with an angel’s voice and switchblade wit.—
Elizabeth Nelson,
Pitchfork,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In theory, that’s what Slot wants his side to do, but in practice this season, due to personnel, fitness and at times structure, the Liverpool high press has lacked the intensity, aggression and intelligence of previous years.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
-
By Saturday, the Pentagon had surged more than 150 aircraft to join the effort to rescue the weapons system officer, Dude 44B, including 64 fighter jets, four bombers, 48 refuelers, 13 rescue planes and 26 intelligence and jamming aircraft, sources told CBS News.—
Lucia I Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nous. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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