nous

noun

Definition of nousnext
chiefly British
as in prudence
the ability to make intelligent decisions especially in everyday matters an Oxford don who was long on erudition but a little short on everyday nous

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 nous He's credited Pep Guardiola for his tactical nous in the past, but that doesn't explain away Sevilla. — SI.com, 2 Oct. 2019 While John Stones is equally good in possession, the 25-year-old has not yet developed Alderweireld's defensive nous, which should come with age and experience. — SI.com, 15 Aug. 2019 His defensive nous allows the creativity to flow freely from virtuoso talents such as Eden Hazard and Luka Modric. — SI.com, 5 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nous
  1. prudence
  2. wisdom
  3. sense
  4. wit
  5. intelligence
Noun
  • The company reported a strong quarter in early February but left its outlook unchanged for the rest of the year out of prudence and conservatism.
    — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2025
  • For investors caught between FOMO and financial prudence, even Goldman suggests hedging your bets.
    — Jackie Snow, Quartz, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of prudence
Noun
  • Mentoring is about passing along the wisdom learned from the successes and failures of one’s career to the next generation.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Even perfectly legitimate laws can be enforced in ways that are harmful, and good governance requires the wisdom to enforce the law in ways that are consistent with other values.
    — Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
Definition of wisdom
Noun
  • The 1960s ushered in debates about the constitutionality of the federal death penalty, due, in part, to a postwar sense of moral superiority.
    — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2025
  • For one, there’s often an initial intoxicating sense of familiarity that quickly devolves into chaos and drama, something akin to love-at-first-sight that suddenly shifts into leave-me-alone.
    — Christina Pérez, Vogue, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of sense
Noun
  • At the time, the Great Depression wore heavily on Americans, and Shirley Temple’s effervescence, wit, and perpetually bright demeanor seemed to give the country hope amid dark days.
    — Michelle Duncan, Architectural Digest, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Though Bell did not prevail over her opponents, Jeopardy fans have taken to social media to share their memories of her sharp wit and memorable answers during her appearance on the show.
    — Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of wit
Noun
  • In this sense, artificial intelligence remains quite unlike, and less capable than, human intelligence.
    — Rob Toews, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Three of its members are in NATO, and there are already indicators that former and current members of the intelligence community across the Five Eyes are concerned over how the alliance could be compromised with Trump at the helm.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of intelligence

Browse Nearby Words

nourishment
nous
nouveau riche
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Cite this Entry

“Nous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nous. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nous

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