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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as in general

belonging or relating to the whole facts of common knowledge

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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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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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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

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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 Previous longitudinal research has also found a two-way relationship between loneliness and common mental health problems. — The Conversation Us, Scientific American, 8 Aug. 2026 Down payment Paying a down payment is common for many types of mortgages. — Deane Biermeier, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026 But as layoffs have become more common and workers have turned to job hopping for higher pay and career growth, employee loyalty has become harder to find. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026 Heart defects are the most common congenital malformations, followed by neural tube defects, which are typically carried to term. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for common

Recent Examples of Synonyms for common

Adjective

There’s no denying the ubiquitous allure to Jo Malone London blends—with a handful of perfumes across six fragrance families, there’s certainly an aroma for everyone.

— Kiana Murden, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026
Only that one day in the mid-aughts, his name was suddenly as ubiquitous as the celebrity who inspired it.

— Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of ubiquitous

Adjective

This figure has already exceeded the European Commission's estimate for annual wildfire losses across the entire European Union in a normal year.

— , CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
Since military prototypes often undergo multiple design revisions, such modifications are considered a normal part of the aircraft development process.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of normal

Adjective

This somewhat surprised me given the general expense of things these days.

— Damian Peach, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Revenue from licensing of shows and films to streaming platforms has softened amid a general industry downturn over the past few years, while other categories of residuals have continued their longer downward trend.

— Gene Maddaus, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of general

Adjective

Democratic primary voters picked their nominees on Tuesday for three battleground House seats in Virginia that are likely to determine control of the lower chamber in the 2026 midterm elections.

— Sophia Mandt, The Washington Examiner, 5 Aug. 2026
This fuss-free pair has it all—plenty of color choices, comfy low heels, and a sleek, versatile design that will easily match any outfit, especially mini skirts and dresses.

— Isabel Bekele, InStyle, 5 Aug. 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

This tomb, and others in Sardinia, was built as a collective burial site around 1800 BCE by the Nuragic people.

— Leigh Anne Miller for ARTnews, Robb Report, 8 Aug. 2026
For a series built around the unsettling idea of collective perfection, Pluribus works because each department thrived in the chaos of creation.

— Deadline, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of collective

Adjective

Meals are taken family style, and the refinement of the cooking will ruin ordinary Indian restaurant fare for you.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Aug. 2026
For Neha Bora, a student leader who took part in a hunger strike in New Delhi, the movement showed that ordinary citizens could still hold those in power to account.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of ordinary

Adjective

Covid-19 wasn’t immediately recognized as a disease with airborne transmission with the potential to spread beyond the 6-foot social distancing measure, especially in places with poor ventilation or around activities with heavy breathing.

— Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
Crepe myrtles may not bloom due to poor pruning, low light, watering issues, weak soil, or pests.

— Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of poor

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“Common.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/common. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

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Games & Quizzes