sense 1 of 2

1
as in feeling
an indefinite physical response to a stimulus a strange sense of discomfort brought on by the room's strong colors

Synonyms & Similar Words

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sense

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun sense contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sense are common sense, judgment, and wisdom. While all these words mean "ability to reach intelligent conclusions," sense implies a reliable ability to judge and decide with soundness, prudence, and intelligence.

a choice showing good sense

Where would common sense be a reasonable alternative to sense?

The words common sense and sense can be used in similar contexts, but common sense suggests an average degree of such ability without sophistication or special knowledge.

common sense tells me it's wrong

When would judgment be a good substitute for sense?

Although the words judgment and sense have much in common, judgment implies sense tempered and refined by experience, training, and maturity.

they relied on her judgment for guidance

In what contexts can wisdom take the place of sense?

In some situations, the words wisdom and sense are roughly equivalent. However, 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 sense
Noun
Other elements of The Scout reinforce our sense of this transient atmosphere. Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2025 Other migrant families have found the same sense of stability in the city of nearly 2 million inhabitants. Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 July 2025
Verb
Goldberg — perhaps sensing yet another one of Behar's digital cacophonies — asked. EW.com, 9 July 2025 Often the person on the receiving end can sense something is wrong, but their partner keeps assuring them everything is fine. Charles Trepany, USA Today, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for sense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sense
Noun
  • And that feeling of intentional participation is the real fuel behind meaning, motivation and emotional nourishment.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • There seems to be a general feeling of distrust towards the very systems that are in place in our society to keep it all together, which can easily lead to people not believing in any of them anymore.
    Katie Bain, Billboard, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • Batman, who relied not on superpowers but on his own intellect, was the thinking-man’s superhero.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 11 July 2025
  • How does President Trump — who unabashedly likens himself to Napoleon — compare in stature, intellect and commendable achievements?
    W.E. Gutman, Sun Sentinel, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • But other supporters of the former president chose to ask for prudence in negotiations.
    Mauricio Savarese, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
  • Scouting in stealth: Heat scouring for success (if) at No. 20 in NBA draft ASK IRA: Is practicing prudence essential in Heat not mortgaging future in a Durant deal?
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • What kind of despair would people feel upon the discovery that their source of joy, belonging, and meaning was a farce?
    Paul Bloom, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
  • This motivated me to re-educate myself on the meaning of these virtues.
    Bruno V. Manno, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • Her reasoning, however, went deeper than just following parenting trends.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 15 July 2025
  • Your governance framework should mandate that agents can articulate their reasoning, provide confidence scores and maintain audit trails.
    Chris Willis, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • The Neighborhood Hang This feels like the quintessential Summerhill spot.
    Lia Picard, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2025
  • The Panthers are banking on a repeat performance, even if Jackson feels like a potential regression candidate.
    Mike Kaye July 14, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • With millions of followers across Instagram, TikTok and Substack, the platform is positioned towards helping young people better understand the news, with regular free newsletters and podcasts.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 15 July 2025
  • However, the evidence is mixed; researchers think larger studies are needed to understand caffeine's influence on this condition.15 What Are the Potential Downsides of Cloud Coffee?
    Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • That sensation creates an impact that digital files can't match.
    Vikrant Shaurya, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • James Marsh, 42, from London, has helped turn his 101-year-old grandmother into an internet sensation through his TikTok account (@jmweightlosscoach), where a recent video has racked up 1.1 million views.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sense. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

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