SENSE Synonyms: 254 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

sense 1 of 2

noun

ˈsen(t)s

Definition of sense

as in feeling

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

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as in intellect

the ability to learn and understand or to deal with problems although he has little formal education, he is a man of considerable practical sense

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in prudence

the ability to make intelligent decisions especially in everyday matters you have the sense to handle anything that comes up

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as in meaning

the idea that is conveyed or intended to be conveyed to the mind by language, symbol, or action got the general sense of the poem

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as in reasoning

the thought processes that have been established as leading to valid solutions to problems your argument simply shows no sense

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sense

2 of 2

verb

as in to feel

to have a vague awareness of the deer seemed to sense danger

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as in to understand

to have a clear idea of I did not sense the full meaning of his cryptic warning until much later

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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

Regulators don’t always get a good sense of residential customers’ voices, though. — Theodore J. Kury, Fortune, 14 July 2026 The Minnesota Timberwolves make the same kind of basketball sense for James that the 76ers do. — Tony Jones, New York Times, 14 July 2026

Verb

Task-specific intelligence, multi-modal sensing and real-time computing can transform the speed and agility with which companies can sense and respond to their external environment. — Anjana Susarla, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026 As The Verge reports, a bill that’s coming up for a vote this year would require fully autonomous vehicles to use both cameras and at least two other sensing technologies — in most cases, lidar and radar. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sense

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sense

Noun

The same feeling took hold in the build-up to the 2022 World Cup final.

— Oliver Kay, New York Times, 19 July 2026
The two enjoyed a reliable income and the feeling of freedom on the water.

— Kasha Patel, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Definition of feeling

Noun

Temilola Adeoye, a comedian, writer and content creator in New York City,attributes this behavior to shortcomings in intellect and literacy — or to a desire to have one’s intellect validated by others.

— Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
Toni Collette is phenomenal as Christie’s beloved detective, capturing both her sharp intellect and her understanding of human nature.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 15 July 2026

Definition of intellect

Noun

The World Economic Forum calls it financial nihilism — the conclusion that the system no longer rewards prudence, driving a cohort toward crypto bets, prediction markets, and raided retirement accounts.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 6 July 2026
But not necessarily the knowledge, confidence or contacts to take it to next stage of monetization, strike collaborative partnerships or exercise operational prudence.

— Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of prudence

Noun

The whole point of originalism, as espoused by the late Justice Antonin Scalia and (in theory) the court’s current conservatives, is that the meaning of the Constitution depends on what the public thought its words meant when it was ratified.

— Noah Feldman, Mercury News, 14 July 2026
Many of the pieces hold special meanings like luck, wealth, prosperity and fertility.

— Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2026

Definition of meaning

Noun

Whatever the reasoning, financial advisers typically caution investors against keeping too much of their investments in cash, because a mix of stocks and bonds historically yields a better return.

— Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 18 July 2026
Leaders need visibility into actions AI systems take, including what data, context and reasoning informed those actions.

— Dave Link, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of reasoning

Verb

Residents say the effects are felt long after each strike ends.

— Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Their shunning of the Spanish coronation, however, felt uniquely unappealing, a show of disrespect to the winners of the most high-profile sporting event in the world.

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of feel

Verb

As with consideration of any new medication, understanding implications, both good and bad, short-term and long-term, need to be fully discussed with any patient and treating physician.

— Nina Shapiro, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
It’s been understood for years that America’s adversaries and allies alike take a keen interest in how this country practices an imperfect democracy.

— Philip Elliott, Time, 17 July 2026

Definition of understand

Noun

The Odyssey is the weekend’s sole new offering in wide release, unlike the filmmaker’s most recent title, Oppenheimer, which opened in July 2023 alongside Barbie as part of the sensation known as Barbenheimer.

— Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 18 July 2026
Initially, fine particulate matter may cause a burning sensation in the eyes and nose.

— Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026

Definition of sensation

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sensations

sense

sensed

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Style

“Sense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sense. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of sense

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Synonyms of sense

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verb

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More from Merriam-Webster on sense

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Word of the Day

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Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes