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
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Example Sentences
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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
The 37-year-old has built a strong reputation for his tactical nous since retiring from playing.
—SI.com, 24 June 2019
The industry will have to use its considerable commercial nous to hit its growth targets if Brexit provokes a deep rupture with the EU.
—The Economist, 3 May 2018
Some creative nous, some flair – something to get England fans off their bloody seats for the first time in years.
—SI.com, 21 Mar. 2018
The nous of captain Lee Wallace, the longest serving current Rangers player at seven years, was sorely missed today.
—SI.com, 30 Apr. 2018
His establishment nous notwithstanding, Mr Pompeo is not playing Mr Trump so much as finding common cause with him.
—The Economist, 15 Mar. 2018
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
The 37-year-old has built a strong reputation for his tactical nous since retiring from playing.
—SI.com, 24 June 2019
The industry will have to use its considerable commercial nous to hit its growth targets if Brexit provokes a deep rupture with the EU.
—The Economist, 3 May 2018
Some creative nous, some flair – something to get England fans off their bloody seats for the first time in years.
—SI.com, 21 Mar. 2018
The nous of captain Lee Wallace, the longest serving current Rangers player at seven years, was sorely missed today.
—SI.com, 30 Apr. 2018
His establishment nous notwithstanding, Mr Pompeo is not playing Mr Trump so much as finding common cause with him.
—The Economist, 15 Mar. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nous
Noun
-
But, as stated above with any Kevin Durant possibilities, pick prudence certainly does have to be part of any Heat transaction machinations going forward.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
9 May 2025
-
Nonprofit plans, by contrast, often operate under strict reserve requirements, regulatory constraints and cultural norms that prioritize prudence over growth.—
Sachin H. Jain,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
Noun
-
Meanwhile, the voters’ wisdom in trying to check pension costs has been repeatedly confirmed.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 May 2025
-
Still, Stuy pitches adoptees on the wisdom of testing.—
Barbara Demick,
New Yorker,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
And it was done like a theater production in the sense that every time there was a character, the role was played by an actor.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2025
-
June's sometime lover Nick (Max Minghella) was among the casualties, a man who could never commit to any side of the cause finally fell victim to his own sense of survivalism.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
28 May 2025
Noun
-
In fact, research has found that some animal species may indeed use wit to strengthen their bonds in the same way that many have the capacity for love, fear, sorrow, guilt, anger, shame, disgust and empathy – and that primates smile and some rats can giggle.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
-
Director Vanessa Stallings’ entertaining and breezy staging brims with razor-sharp wit, physical comedy and pop-out visual surprises.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 May 2025
Noun
-
The group is a terrorist organization made up of operatives, spies and intelligence officials from agencies around the world who want to create a new world order.—
Keith Langston,
People.com,
24 May 2025
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According to a new assessment from no fewer than 11 countries’ intelligence agencies, the hacker group has been targeting a broad array of technology and logistics firms involved in providing aid to Ukraine.—
Andy Greenberg,
Wired News,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nous. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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