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common sense

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun common sense contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of common sense are judgment, sense, and wisdom. While all these words mean "ability to reach intelligent conclusions," common sense suggests an average degree of such ability without sophistication or special knowledge.

common sense tells me it's wrong

Where would judgment be a reasonable alternative to common sense?

While the synonyms judgment and common sense are close in meaning, judgment implies sense tempered and refined by experience, training, and maturity.

they relied on her judgment for guidance

When would sense be a good substitute for common sense?

The synonyms sense and common sense are sometimes interchangeable, but sense implies a reliable ability to judge and decide with soundness, prudence, and intelligence.

a choice showing good sense

In what contexts can wisdom take the place of common sense?

The words wisdom and common sense are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 commonsense
Noun
Trump aims to restore constitutional order… and common sense. Fox News, 28 Feb. 2025 But proponents of the measure, which is up for a critical vote in the Assembly Appropriations Committee Thursday, have been quick to defend it as a common sense reform needed to help California fire officials communicate and enforce wildfire mitigation measures. Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2025 This is what happens when the people in charge put ideology over common sense. David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025 But the politics of the issue have ignored simple common sense. Debra J. Saunders, Orange County Register, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for commonsense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commonsense
Adjective
  • There is no length societies will not go to, no absurd logical leap people won’t take to recast our simple, human act of survival as something dirty and shameful.
    Amanda Nguyen, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Violent, oppressive lies, carefully framed as logical, reasonable, truthful, and factual.
    Christine Winter, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Navigating Political and Ethical Considerations of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve By embracing bitcoin as a vital national reserve asset, the United States positions itself at the forefront of economic innovation, fiscal prudence, and visionary thinking.
    Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
  • What critics of interventionism have historically sought is prudence in foreign affairs – avoiding unnecessary wars while ensuring the protection of core national interests.
    Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • With a reasonable $3.5 million cap hit for another two years, this is the kind of reclamation project the Penguins should be investing in.
    Shayna Goldman, The Athletic, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Los Angeles or even Texas would be reasonable guesses, but the answer is much more interesting.
    Joyce Chen, Architectural Digest, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • This shift is not a sign of decline but rather a maturation process that leads to wisdom—the kind of knowledge that has kept human societies thriving for millennia.
    Talia Milgrom-Elcott, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Critics question the wisdom of linking the full faith and credit of the US government to a purely speculative, highly volatile asset.
    Allison Morrow, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Kirsch said the shooting didn’t just shatter the sense of safety and security locally.
    Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
  • None offer the sense of exclusivity found at The Estates.
    Paula Conway, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Multiple sets are repurposed to serve as different locations — again, a financially sensible decision that also carries deep emotional resonance.
    Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 12 Mar. 2025
  • The microphone jack is located on the rear, just behind the hot shoe, a good move as this is the most sensible place to mount a mic or wireless transceiver.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 12 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Our people have a horse sense for what good work is.
    Beth Greenfield, Fortune, 1 July 2024
  • His words of wisdom are tinged with wit and old-fashioned horse sense.
    Valerie Fraser Luesse, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2024
Adjective
  • So the rational strategy, in many cases, is to wait.
    Phil De Luna, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Also use your words to compose a factual, rational statement of your position.
    Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Commonsense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commonsense. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.

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