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
The Dodgers signing Tucker would make a lot of sense. Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025 Burton was a champion of big government in every sense. John Seiler, Oc Register, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
Apple added more health and convenience tools, including wrist temperature sensing for deeper insights in the Vitals app, retrospective ovulation estimates and an Always-On display. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2025 Maizy ends up meeting convincing city slicker Gordy (played by Quinn VanAntwerp), who senses the opportunity to take these small town’s woes and turn them into cash. Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sense
Noun
  • Conjuring the troubled inner life of a young, beautiful and successful Buenos Aires fashion designer with an uncommon mix of stylistic rigor and feeling, the film frays your nerves.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Saying goodbye is never easy, and this golden retriever made sure his feelings were heard loud and clear.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Like Paul, Charlie did not use his incredible intellect to lord it over his interlocutors.
    Brooke L. Rollins, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
  • He is widely seen as an extraordinary statesman who possessed a unique blend of intellect and political ability, and who remained a humble and approachable father figure for his people throughout his long tenure.
    Jack Guy, CNN Money, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But those with long memories are tempering enthusiasm with prudence, remembering how the dot-com bubble led to unsustainable valuations and a painful crash.
    Tiz Gambacorta, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • What could have been a transformative meditation on mourning too often slips into surface-level spectacle, leaving the audience to piece together meaning from a scattershot collage of influences.
    David Hochman, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • That's because nudity can take on drastically different meanings.
    Charles Trepany, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The funding will be used to advance their video reasoning engine—enabling creators to generate video content automatically from text prompts or minimal input—targeting higher-quality, scalable video for smaller creators and brands.
    Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Apple didn’t explain its reasoning behind the decision, but the market for satellite-to-phone service is intensifying.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • After his low-effort performance, anchored by a gimmick that made the show feel like a telethon, viewers might be asking themselves the same thing.
    Judy Berman, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Even moments meant to feel spontaneous are staged.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Your smartphone's voice assistant struggles to understand your accent but works perfectly for others.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • While parenting responsibilities are widely understood and sometimes better supported in the workplace, senior care still has a long way to go, Zlotsky said.
    Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Capsaicin is the active compound in chili peppers that causes a burning sensation.
    Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
  • That delicate, metallic tang—almost more sensation than flavor, the suggestion of electricity, like looking at an outlet with a fork in your hand.
    The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sense. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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