SENSES Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

senses 1 of 2

noun

plural of sense

as in feelings

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in meanings

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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senses

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of sense

as in smells

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in knows

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 senses

Noun

This treatment is part of a series of evening spa experiences Rosewood Mayakoba puts on, all designed to soothe the senses and promote better sleep. — Rana Good, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026 Visitors to these landscapes are encouraged to slow down, engage their senses and temporarily step away from the constant demands of work and technology. — Todd Lookingbill, The Conversation, 31 July 2026 As family secrets and wounds, resurface the entire neighborhood senses presences and hear the distinctive sounds of their own dead. — John Hopewell, Variety, 28 July 2026 Among all the senses, smell is perhaps the least well understood. — Hannah Docter-Loeb, Scientific American, 24 July 2026 Their background as water dogs and hunters has fine-tuned their olfactory senses to an elite level. — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 24 July 2026 Delight in rituals that engage the senses, like slowly moving a mouthful of Champagne around your tongue, or lighting palo santo in the dark and letting its smoke envelop you. — Goth Shakira, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026 This is the kind of bright fragrance that just grabs your senses. — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 23 July 2026 The rooftop offers a counterpoint—a setting where visitors can reconnect with their senses through elements like shade, the breeze, and seasonal plantings. — Oset Babür-Winter, Architectural Digest, 17 July 2026

Verb

That’s because dishwashers are equipped with something called a turbidity sensor that basically senses the murkiness of the water and adjusts the wash cycle accordingly. — Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Aug. 2026 Perhaps this season can serve as a bit of vindication for Marmol, who senses a shift in how his fan base perceives him. — Katie Woo, New York Times, 13 July 2026 As Marielle and Fatima argue about what to do, Fatima senses Smiley approaching. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 Human existence senses that something impedes it from subsisting. — Merve Emre, New Yorker, 28 June 2026 Sugar senses something’s amiss here. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 27 June 2026 Your perceptive nature senses a family need, household issue, or emotional loose end that should be handled before bigger plans move forward. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2026 Klara soon senses that something is wrong and turns to her old friend, the sun, for guidance. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 23 June 2026 When Klara meets Josie each immediately senses a kindred spirit in the other. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 22 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for senses

Noun

The Moon enters Gemini and your 1st House of Self, bringing your thoughts, feelings, and personal needs closer to the surface.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
One staffer who is still at the CDC said much of her anger is tied up in knowing that Kennedy’s feelings about vaccines are similar to the shooter’s.

— Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of feelings

Noun

Some don't seem tied to the obvious icon meanings to me, such as a paintbrush for adding photos to the active composer, or a party popper shooting confetti as the icon for opening a side chat.

— Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 3 Aug. 2026
The poem is rife with open meanings; however, its principal question is important for anyone who has felt slighted or discouraged from conducting their lives with reverie.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 July 2026

Definition of meanings

Verb

No doubt that every time Harry smells a Diptyque candle around the house, memories of his late mother flood back.

— Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 5 Aug. 2026
The menu at Casa Marcial is inspired by the sensations, feelings, tastes, and smells that defined Manzano’s childhood in the Asturian hills.

— Simon Willis, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of smells

Noun

In South Florida, expect a high of 90 or 91 on Saturday and Sunday with a feels-like 106 on Saturday and 103 on Sunday.

— Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026
Heat and humidity will help increase Maryland's chance of storms over the next several days, with temperatures in the low to mid-90s and feels-like temperatures near or above 100 degrees.

— Rachael Jay, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of feels

Noun

The book served as a key piece of evidence from the prosecution thus far, though Davis has pleaded not guilty and has distanced himself from the contents of the memoir, saying the information in the book was false and designed to sell copies.

— Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2026
Called to Oallen, a town about 125 miles southwest of Sydney, police officers established a crime scene but did not examine the contents too closely.

— Reuters, NBC news, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of contents

Verb

Questions remain about exactly how transits through the strait will be managed and whether Washington and its allies will agree to any new arrangement that sees Hormuz jointly controlled by Iran and Oman.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Mekai, when Kanan goes to Raq’s house and sees her body on the floor, what was that like for you?

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026