1
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
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in smells
to have a vague awareness of
the deer seemed to sense danger
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in knows
to have a clear idea of
I did not sense the full meaning of his cryptic warning until much later
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
Engaging the senses centers mindfulness even in the most hectic work environments, lowering stress and opening up the headspace for thinking.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
To human senses, fibrous seagrass roots running through sediment can be boring.
—David George Haskell, Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026
The walk is led by a blind docent who will talk about the importance of senses in exploring nature.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
A week in Istanbul is a treat for all the senses.
—Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Analog time is unstructured, outdoor, device-free time where children use their senses, move their bodies, and allow their attention to be drawn instead of demanded.
—John La Puma, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
Simply put, if a human operator senses something is going wrong, the robot should react before the error escalates.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026
Its cars have fewer synthetic senses, lacking the radar and LiDAR sensors built into Waymos, Amazon’s Zoox vehicles, and other upcoming robotaxis.
—Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 19 Mar. 2026
Jane Sadowsky, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2026
And yet, Rachel senses, something is not right.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 26 Mar. 2026
Finch senses the team figuring itself out as well.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
If a significant bloc of them begins to resist the preferences of the Revolutionary Guard or the remnants of Khamenei’s inner circle, that will signal that the clerical establishment senses the wind shifting.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson senses a different vibe around his team during its latest winning streak.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 28 Feb. 2026
And their head coach senses the change in the level of enthusiasm around the team these days.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 28 Feb. 2026
And if Jokic senses that something is wrong offensively, his feel for the game is usually trustworthy enough to listen.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 25 Feb. 2026
One senses the slow seething just below his surface.
—Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
Noun
But step through its shiplap door, and your senses shift again.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
Engaging the senses centers mindfulness even in the most hectic work environments, lowering stress and opening up the headspace for thinking.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
To human senses, fibrous seagrass roots running through sediment can be boring.
—David George Haskell, Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026
The walk is led by a blind docent who will talk about the importance of senses in exploring nature.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
A week in Istanbul is a treat for all the senses.
—Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Analog time is unstructured, outdoor, device-free time where children use their senses, move their bodies, and allow their attention to be drawn instead of demanded.
—John La Puma, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
Simply put, if a human operator senses something is going wrong, the robot should react before the error escalates.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026
Its cars have fewer synthetic senses, lacking the radar and LiDAR sensors built into Waymos, Amazon’s Zoox vehicles, and other upcoming robotaxis.
—Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
Someone senses something is wrong — unstable snow, deteriorating conditions, a risky route — but speaking up means challenging the plan and slowing everyone down.
—Jane Sadowsky, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2026
And yet, Rachel senses, something is not right.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 26 Mar. 2026
Finch senses the team figuring itself out as well.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
If a significant bloc of them begins to resist the preferences of the Revolutionary Guard or the remnants of Khamenei’s inner circle, that will signal that the clerical establishment senses the wind shifting.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson senses a different vibe around his team during its latest winning streak.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 28 Feb. 2026
And their head coach senses the change in the level of enthusiasm around the team these days.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 28 Feb. 2026
And if Jokic senses that something is wrong offensively, his feel for the game is usually trustworthy enough to listen.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 25 Feb. 2026
One senses the slow seething just below his surface.
—Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for senses
Noun
-
February 19 – March 20 Certain feelings presently require action to be fully realized.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Those complex feelings were among the findings of the largest study of artificial intelligence in higher education to date, which polled 94,000 students, faculty and staff across 22 CSU campuses from San Diego to Arcata.—
Jaweed Kaleem,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As of late March, these two meanings have converged.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
-
But in the excitement over human exploration of the moon, the meanings behind the missions' namesakes and the mythological figures that inspired them can get lost.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The air smells damp and jungly (in the best possible way) and is sweetened with a hint of frangipani.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The store is small, independently run and smells oh-so good.—
Samantha Husted,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Anyone who knows more about the dogs or their possible owner is asked to contact RCDAS at (951) 358-7387.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
No one knows exactly how many protesters were killed, but estimates range from seven thousand to thirty thousand.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
A lot happens, but little feels earned; the tone is an uneasy blend of zany and sour.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Phillies game forecast After a stellar Opening Day forecast, Saturday's Rangers-Phillies game will feel more like October baseball, with a feels-like temperature of around 39 degrees for first pitch.—
Grant Gilmore,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The contents of the message are unclear.—
James Legge,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Even so, my ideal pantry starter kit will look different from yours, or your neighbor’s, or your best friend’s, its contents dependent on your flavor and cuisine preferences and lifestyle choices.—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Many employers are increasingly relying on rolling or phased layoffs, meaning the public often sees announcements weeks or months before job losses actually begin.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Canales, in particular, sees the upside in the addition, not only for Carolina, but Pickett as well.—
Mike Kaye
March 31,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And to have a guy like him who understands what the competition looks like on the floor, but is still here to kind of enhance the environment, help celebrate his teammates, give his teammates wisdom.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Familiar with the Final Four spotlight, UCLA remains focused inward and understands the importance of turning off the noise from outside their circle, Jaquez said.—
Anthony Solorzano,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Senses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/senses. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
