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
Relevance
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 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
-
Otherwise, there needs to be prudence, since the Heat are poised to potentially get back in the cap-space race in the 2026 offseason, when the contracts of Duncan Robinson and Terry Rozier come off the books.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
30 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,
JSTOR Daily,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
But investors are clearly not convinced by the wisdom of Trump’s plan.—
Anna Cooban,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2025
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
Noun
-
Comments Million Dollar Secret finalists take on laser beams, sewing needles, and a battle of wits.—
Jillian Sederholm,
EW.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
The Emmy-award-winning series somehow managed to merge sharp wit with wholehearted sincerity, reminding us that, in the end, family is what makes life truly special, no matter how chaotic or comical things can be.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Ukrainian special forces and the main intelligence directorate in Kyiv were watching with at least one drone.—
David Axe,
Forbes,
25 Mar. 2025
-
The rise of swarm intelligence in manufacturing Swarm Intelligence, inspired by collective behaviors in nature, is now being applied to robotics, enabling multiple humanoid robots to collaborate seamlessly on complex tasks.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
25 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nous. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share