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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective alive contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of alive are awake, aware, cognizant, conscious, and sensible. While all these words mean "having knowledge of something," alive adds to sensible the implication of acute sensitivity to something.

alive to the thrill of danger

When could awake be used to replace alive?

In some situations, the words awake and alive are roughly equivalent. However, awake implies that one has become alive to something and is on the alert.

a country always awake to the threat of invasion

Where would aware be a reasonable alternative to alive?

While in some cases nearly identical to alive, aware implies vigilance in observing or alertness in drawing inferences from what one experiences.

aware of changes in climate

When would cognizant be a good substitute for alive?

While the synonyms cognizant and alive are close in meaning, cognizant implies having special or certain knowledge as from firsthand sources.

not fully cognizant of the facts

When can conscious be used instead of alive?

The words conscious and alive can be used in similar contexts, but conscious implies that one is focusing one's attention on something or is even preoccupied by it.

conscious that my heart was pounding

When is sensible a more appropriate choice than alive?

Although the words sensible and alive have much in common, sensible implies direct or intuitive perceiving especially of intangibles or of emotional states or qualities.

sensible of a teacher's influence

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 alive Coffee houses Coffee houses have been a thing for longer than most people reading this article have been alive. Katie Black, Charlotte Observer, 27 June 2025 Fifty hostages remain in captivity in the enclave, 20 of whom are believed to still be alive, according to the Israeli government. Kara Fox, CNN Money, 25 June 2025 But Jude had been alive then and with them on the trip. Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 15 June 2025 Yet when a message arrives from a potential client (Lily James) who needs his protection just to stay alive, Ahmed’s character abandons his own ironclad rules of communication. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for alive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alive
Adjective
  • Under Proposition 309, voters casting mail-in ballots could provide a driver's license or non-operating identification license number, the last four digits of a social security number, or a unique identifying number provided by the secretary of state for voter registration purposes.
    Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 27 Oct. 2022
  • The adjusted net income decreased by 8% y-o-y to $3.9 billion in the first nine months of 2022 due to higher expenses as a % of revenues and lower non-operating income.
    Trefis Team, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2023
Adjective
  • Musk’s comment about Bannon returning to prison was made under a post showing Trump’s Truth Social post, indicating that the billionaire is aware of the threat but is choosing not to respond yet.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 1 July 2025
  • Prince William’s charitable team was not aware of the Mondejar Foundation, nor of its attempts to solicit donations through an exclusive networking group called A Small World by offering access to the royal couple via the polo event.
    Janine Henni, People.com, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Both Explorer’s Lounge and the Pinnacle Bar are on the quieter side, while Rolling Stone Lounge and Billboard Onboard have live music and a more energetic vibe, particularly later in the evening.
    Susan B. Barnes, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2025
  • Prevost has already had a showbiz publicist offer to represent him, and a journalist stop by post-interview to give him tips on what is imprudent to say on live TV—such as his imminent travel plans.
    Belinda Luscombe, Time, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • He's got a busy schedule ahead, starring in season 2 of Peacock's Twisted Metal and Alex Winter's upcoming Adulthood.
    EW.com, EW.com, 28 June 2025
  • Despite the setback in Denver, the couple has been busy in the meantime.
    Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • They can’t be used to address most operational needs.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 June 2025
  • Germany has fewer than ten operational Patriot batteries at any one time, enough to cover the airspace over Berlin and one other city.
    Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • The only extant Civil War-era fort on the West Coast.
    Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
  • Yet a strong, and entirely distinct, island culture is extant.
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • That early and incisive stance on monopoly power foreshadows the themes that animate Market Crafters.
    Teresa Ghilarducci, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
  • The objects appear startlingly animate, as if bodies and ethnographic specimens are hanging on display.
    Jane Levere, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
Adjective
  • Leaders who invest in the holistic health of their workforce can foster resilience, drive performance and cultivate a thriving organizational culture.
    Loubna Noureddin, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • What makes this destination particularly exciting to visit is the chance to explore its thriving arts scene.
    Essence, Essence, 18 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Alive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alive. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on alive

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