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
In the past, Dek craved a sense of belonging and desperately wanted to fit in with the Yautja, but he's now found his purpose – his people – in an unexpected foreign planet. Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2025 Subtle candy stripe references nod to nostalgic holiday traditions while maintaining a sense of understated sophistication. Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
And Japanese-market versions (known as the Toyota Celsior, as Lexus didn’t have showrooms in its homeland until 2005) even offered an adaptive cruise control system that used lasers to sense the distance to the vehicle ahead. Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2025 And tomorrow, as networks increasingly sense, adapt, and extend into the skies and beyond, we are poised for another transformation. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sense
Noun
  • There is an organic, honest feeling to Paulsen’s training.
    Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The loss was an unfamiliar feeling for the Dodgers, who had only dropped one game this entire postseason entering Friday.
    Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • His intellect is evident when reviewing his rigorous course load, outstanding ACT scores, and his pursuit of the AP Capstone Diploma.
    Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Nov. 2025
  • His intellect and refinement are his most terrifying tools.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Additionally, a boom-and-bust cycle in the early 2000s informs some of the company’s prudence on expansion.
    Zev Fima, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Meanwhile, Taiwan’s military should exercise prudence in its rules of engagement and not assume that every close call is intentional.
    JOEL WUTHNOW, Foreign Affairs, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Now armed with a new perspective on her own life and her father’s, the past takes on new meaning.
    Nora Dahlia, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
  • To understand the soul may have required silk, cheesecloth, cotton wool, even offal—but these mundane materials, Warner shows us, held meaning.
    David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • According to the woman, her parents’ reasoning for denying her requests was rooted in a harsh lesson about independence.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
  • While no specific storyline explanation was given on the broadcast for their exclusion beyond Pearce barring them earlier in the night, the reasoning reported ties into a larger, long-term strategy WWE has for Breakker.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Yet amidst this external focus on varied lyric forms, the drive in this collection feels narrative, the stories history doubling and echoing myth and history.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
  • With the staff and roster Lucas has brought in, Young feels good days are ahead.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Adoption accelerates naturally when professionals understand that AI is amplifying their capabilities, rather than replacing them.
    Feon Ang, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Members of the new Agentic Futures Initiative believe lawmakers and officials need to better understand the technology to ensure new products remain interoperable across platforms, private — and secure.
    Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The product also leaves a cooling and tingling sensation to provide relief from any itchiness.
    Caché McClay, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
  • But beverages that contain THC don’t hit like alcohol, instead causing a sensation that’s more like a slow exhale that lingers just long enough to make the room feel softer, the music warmer and your friends a little funnier.
    Timothy DePeugh, Charlotte Observer, 7 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sense. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.

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