commonsense 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of commonsensenext
as in logical
based on sound reasoning or information the commonsense interpretation of this so-called mysterious sighting

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

common sense

2 of 2

noun

as in prudence
the ability to make intelligent decisions especially in everyday matters common sense should tell you not to meet face-to-face with someone who is just an online acquaintance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
In addition to the huge hit on property owners in the form of new and higher costs, the mindless push to eliminate natural gas appliances as an option for consumers and businesses runs contrary to common sense. —Jon Coupal, Oc Register, 31 Mar. 2025 Which candidates are urging stability and common sense? —Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025 Wisconsinites should vote for the fair and common sense candidate on Tuesday, Judge Susan Crawford. —Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025 Maryland’s housing crisis requires partnership between government and housing providers to enact common sense rules that protect tenants while also supporting the production and preservation of affordable housing. —Miranda Darden-Willems, Baltimore Sun, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for commonsense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commonsense
  1. logical
  2. prudence
  3. reasonable
  4. wisdom
  5. sense
  6. sensible
  7. horse sense
  8. rational
Adjective
  • There are logical, though debatable, arguments that the settlement paying male athletes more in damages and permitting colleges to pay male athletes more going forward is problematic under Title IX.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Repeatedly, the market tried to make something of several logical, if a bit neat-and-tidy, inflection points.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of logical
Noun
  • Duty Of Care The duty of care obligates fiduciaries to exercise a high standard of professionalism, prudence, and diligence in managing your finances.
    — True Tamplin, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • In the meantime, people could do worse than to embrace some prudence and frugality.
    — Erik Sherman, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of prudence
Adjective
  • Given that this decline coincided with the large-scale movement of the US Commercial fishing fleet into those waters, the idea that overfishing might have something to do with it seemed a reasonable hypothesis.
    — Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Instead, the new policy changes should be done more deliberately, with public input, a clear communication strategy and reasonable timeline, the AARP explained in the letter.
    — Lorie Konish, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of reasonable
Noun
  • But investors are clearly not convinced by the wisdom of Trump’s plan.
    — Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025
  • On one hand, of course these outsiders view Thailand as an escape, a playground, an exotic land full of ancient foreign wisdom lost to Western civilizations.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of wisdom
Noun
  • His sharp sense of storytelling and visionary approach to content has consistently set him apart as a true leader.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • That has always been part of the Trumpist package of maybe not ideas in the sense of grand philosophies but certainly cultural ideas.
    — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of sense
Adjective
  • Wear sensible shoes to explore Kathleen Ferguson’s urban flower farm built on a slope.
    — Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Your idea about cremation so your ashes can be divided between the two gravesites seems sensible to me.
    — Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of sensible
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
Definition of horse sense
Adjective
  • Rajula Srivastava, for contributions in harmonic analysis and analytic number theory, including contributions to the problem of counting rational points near smooth manifolds.
    — Alex Cramer, HollywoodReporter, 6 Apr. 2025
  • The individual leader faces a prisoner's dilemma where the rational choice for personal advancement conflicts with the collective interest.
    — Nate Bennett, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of rational

Browse Nearby Words

common schools
commonsense
common sense
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Cite this Entry

“Commonsense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commonsense. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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