COMMON Synonyms: 468 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'common' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of common are familiar , ordinary , plain , popular , and vulgar . While all these words mean "generally met with and not in any way special, strange, or unusual," common implies usual everyday quality or frequency of occurrence and may additionally suggest inferiority or coarseness. // a common error // lacked common honesty // common manners

Q: When would 'familiar' be a good substitute for 'common'?

The words familiar and common are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, familiar stresses the fact of being generally known and easily recognized. // a familiar melody

Q: In what contexts can 'ordinary' take the place of 'common'?

The meanings of ordinary and common largely overlap; however, ordinary stresses conformance in quality or kind with the regular order of things. // an ordinary pleasant summer day // a very ordinary sort of man

Q: When is 'plain' a more appropriate choice than 'common'?

While in some cases nearly identical to common , plain is likely to suggest homely simplicity. // plain hard-working people

Q: When might 'popular' be a better fit than 'common'?

Although the words popular and common have much in common, popular applies to what is accepted by or prevalent among people in general sometimes in contrast to upper classes or special groups. // a writer of popular romances

Q: How do 'vulgar' and 'popular' relate to one another, in the sense of 'common'?

Vulgar , otherwise similar to popular , is likely to carry derogatory connotations (as of inferiority or coarseness). // souvenirs designed to appeal to the vulgar taste

common

adjective

ˈkä-mən

Definition of common

as in ordinary

often observed or encountered horse ranches are a common sight in that part of the state

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in normal

being of the type that is encountered in the normal course of events just a common house cat but an extraordinary friend

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in general

belonging or relating to the whole facts of common knowledge

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in low

belonging to the class of people of low social or economic rank a man of wealth and privilege who mingled without pretense with the common folk

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in prevailing

held by or applicable to a majority of the people a politician who works not for the special interests but for the common good

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in collective

used or done by a number of people as a group used a common bathroom while at the campground

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in mediocre

of average to below average quality has a common singing voice that's good enough for performing at those venues

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in poor

of low quality furniture of common workmanship that did not justify the high prices

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in vulgar

lacking in refinement or good taste embarrassed by the common manners of his new in-laws

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective common contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of common are familiar, ordinary, plain, popular, and vulgar. While all these words mean "generally met with and not in any way special, strange, or unusual," common implies usual everyday quality or frequency of occurrence and may additionally suggest inferiority or coarseness.

a common error

lacked common honesty

common manners

When would familiar be a good substitute for common?

The words familiar and common are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, familiar stresses the fact of being generally known and easily recognized.

a familiar melody

In what contexts can ordinary take the place of common?

The meanings of ordinary and common largely overlap; however, ordinary stresses conformance in quality or kind with the regular order of things.

an ordinary pleasant summer day

a very ordinary sort of man

When is plain a more appropriate choice than common?

While in some cases nearly identical to common, plain is likely to suggest homely simplicity.

plain hard-working people

When might popular be a better fit than common?

Although the words popular and common have much in common, popular applies to what is accepted by or prevalent among people in general sometimes in contrast to upper classes or special groups.

a writer of popular romances

How do vulgar and popular relate to one another, in the sense of common?

Vulgar, otherwise similar to popular, is likely to carry derogatory connotations (as of inferiority or coarseness).

souvenirs designed to appeal to the vulgar taste

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 common During the 1990s, mafia-style killings of public figures were a common occurrence in Bulgaria. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 Internationally, a United Nations resolution on geographical names says that when countries sharing a feature can’t agree on a common name, each country’s name is accepted. — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026 Assassination attempts against Putin's foes -- routinely denied by the Kremlin -- have been common during his decades in power. — Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026 Instead of the telltale hyperactivity common in men, women are much more likely to experience ADHD internally. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for common

Recent Examples of Synonyms for common

Adjective

The conversation around weight loss medications such as GLP-1s can, at times, feel ubiquitous.

— Rachael Akhidenor, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026
The former’s company, Omaha Productions, is part-owned by the NFL and Manning is a ubiquitous media presence on top of his Hall of Fame playing credentials.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of ubiquitous

Adjective

It's shot up from less than $97 at the start of the month on uncertainty about when the war with Iran will allow the global energy industry to return to normal.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
Menopause is the normal part of a woman’s aging process that marks the end of her reproductive years.

— Lyndon Haviland, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of normal

Adjective

Jason Reynolds, Lockheed Martin’s vice president and general manager of Integrated Air and Missile Defense, described RIG-360 as critical to PAC-3 operations and in-flight performance.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
Vance has faced general questions about his association with Carlson, a former Fox News host who faced backlash last year for interviewing antisemite Nick Fuentes on his podcast.

— Thomas Beaumont, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of general

Adjective

The wide availability of low-cost, powerful open models is one reason Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has warned that open models in particular pose a risk of widespread and potentially devastating cyber attacks.

— Emily Forlini, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
America's ability to compete internationally, which has become a central argument for expanding AI infrastructure, ranks much lower.

— Will Johnson, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of low

Adjective

The group noted the projection was revised upward from an earlier estimate owing to an additional year in the budget window and higher prevailing interest rates.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
Likewise, prevailing concepts of Hamlet at the time cast the prince as a wan and melancholic, leading critics to bristle at Bernhardt’s energy.

— Betsy Golden Kellem, JSTOR Daily, 18 Mar. 2026

Definition of prevailing

Adjective

However, the record does not establish that the configuration is suitable for ordinary motorcycle use on water or for routine amphibious transportation.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026
Behind the camera, Avani Rai shot about 130 people comprising ordinary Indians, dancers, models, and artisans, as well as her mother and actor Ranveer Singh against the streets of Old Delhi and its flower market and crowded alleyways.

— Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of ordinary

Adjective

Disease that has spread to those organs is associated with poorer treatment outcomes.

— Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
They were frustrated with teacher shortages and poor conditions at schools, including overcrowded classrooms and dilapidated buildings.

— James Cirrone , Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of poor

Cite this Entry

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“Common.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/common. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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