SENSES Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

senses 1 of 2

noun

plural of sense

as in feelings

an indefinite physical response to a stimulus a strange sense of discomfort brought on by the room's strong colors

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Relevance

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

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senses

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of sense

as in smells

to have a vague awareness of the deer seemed to sense danger

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as in knows

to have a clear idea of I did not sense the full meaning of his cryptic warning until much later

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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

Noun

The reign of Republicans during the Civil War and Reconstruction was a democratic breakthrough in two senses. — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 However, human problems appear real according to the information gathered from the five corporeal senses. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 31 Aug. 2026 The five senses are something many of us take for granted, until an illness or disorder causes one to stop working properly. — Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 On the other side, a more moderate camp senses a chance to consolidate Iran’s gains in talks that have made little progress. — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026 Instead, his endless threats worked like an aggressive motivational speech, compelling Canadians to come to their senses about the state of their overdependent relationship. — Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 28 Aug. 2026 Motion sickness is caused by a disagreement between what your inner ear senses and what your eyes see. — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2026 Seattle comforts you with its natural beauty, quieting your mind and heightening your senses. — Giovanna Caravetta, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026 What to put in an anxiety bag Since anxiety affects everyone differently, Powell suggests choosing items that appeal to you — including those that engage multiple senses, such as taste, touch and smell. — Mary Caldwell, AJC.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Verb

The cabin sound is enhanced using technology that senses intake pressure and creates a corresponding engine sound routed through the speakers. — Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026 Yet Williams senses an opportunity to color outside the lines, to hunt a big play to one of his favorite targets. — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Both features are part of the new Health Guardian toolkit, which also includes Breathing Emergency detection that will contact emergency services if the watch senses a persistent drop in oxygen saturation. — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026 That’s because dishwashers are equipped with something called a turbidity sensor that basically senses the murkiness of the water and adjusts the wash cycle accordingly. — Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Aug. 2026 As Marielle and Fatima argue about what to do, Fatima senses Smiley approaching. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 Human existence senses that something impedes it from subsisting. — Merve Emre, New Yorker, 28 June 2026 Sugar senses something’s amiss here. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 27 June 2026 Your perceptive nature senses a family need, household issue, or emotional loose end that should be handled before bigger plans move forward. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for senses

Noun

Both artists, Morris points out, were working in the context of World War II, and the owl’s ability to both burrow and take flight may have appealed to feelings of entrapment and a desire to escape.

— Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Fresh pasta, family recipes and the feelings of a cozy home are coming together at Charlotte’s newest Italian restaurant, opening this fall.

— Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of feelings

Verb

Fadal brought up her own phantom smells during a recent podcast conversation with Andrea Donsky, a nutritionist who’s written about and conducted research on this symptom.

— Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 26 Aug. 2026
The pungent smells of pot smoke and someone else’s urine compete with the dank smell of the canal.

— Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of smells

Noun

Scientists use this technique, called candling — which historically entailed holding up a burning candle — to assess the contents of shark eggs for health, viability and genetic diversity.

— Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
This way auditors, regulators, and even customers can confirm a record is genuine without seeing its contents.

— Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of contents

Verb

No country has marshaled those efforts like China, where the government sees Tibet, and its Himalayan borderlands, as critical to its national and energy security.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
Wall Street sees new treatments as an untapped goldmine, full of consumers who are willing to pay out-of-pocket for better options, reminiscent of the boom in GLP-1 weight-loss drugs.

— Avalon Pernell, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of sees

Verb

Luiz understands that aspect, too, acknowledging that Sporting KC needed him four separate times during Thursday’s news conference.

— Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
Churches, neighborhoods, nonprofits, businesses, utilities and government should periodically engage in preparedness exercises so everyone understands their role.

— Freida Graves, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026