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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 For some users, the system is alive. Webb Wright, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2025 As of Wednesday, Oct 1, rescue teams have located at least six children alive in the rubble, CNN reported. Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025 Mahama believes that if the machine had been working, his brother would have been properly diagnosed and might still be alive today. Edna Bonhomme, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025 Three people were pulled alive from the rubble Tuesday, but two later died of their injuries in hospital, according to the agency. Helen Regan, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for alive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alive
Adjective
  • Just down the hill, West Hollywood has lots of other diversions to keep you entertained and at ease, including award-winning spas, sushi omakase at the always-buzzing Uchi, and endless workout opportunities from group fitness classes to Runyon Canyon hikes.
    Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 23 Sep. 2025
  • The space itself — bright, polished, and buzzing — sets the tone for a brunch that’s chic without being stiff.
    Rai Mincey, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Last year, though revenue and operating profit increased, non-operating red ink pushed the company into a full-year loss of NT$766 million, or $25 million.
    Russell Flannery, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
  • 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
  • The arch support worked overtime for her almost non-existing arches and prevented her shins and feet from feeling pain, an uncomfortable side effect of footwear that’s too flat.
    Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Although inflation stretches the Universe flat and expands any pre-existing particles away from one another, this doesn’t necessarily mean the temperature approaches and asymptotes to absolute zero in short order.
    Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • What’s Next UPenn has issued safety advice to students, including not wearing headphones, staying off of phones, and making sure to stay aware of surroundings.
    Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
  • In a rare move, aware of Chapman’s growing comfort in Boston, Breslow worked out an in-season extension for the veteran reliever.
    Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • There were bleachers for spectators, food trucks, a band playing live music, the Indy500 Gordon Pipers playing bagpipes, a kids zone and a beer garden for the adults.
    Keenan Thompson, Freep.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • From dishes like cast-iron live Maine lobster to a 32-ounce Creekstone Farms American Wagyu Tomahawk ribeye, this is a restaurant where you'd better be prepared to drop some cash.
    Rosalind Bowling, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s no better way to bring peace to a busy weeknight, welcome a new neighbor, or be reminded of your childhood than a nostalgic comfort food.
    Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Good morning, it's been another busy week in Central Indiana.
    Joe Mutascio, IndyStar, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Once the new antenna becomes operational, New Norcia will be ESA’s first ground station to host two deep space antennas.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2025
  • In addressing irreparable harm, Immergut said the state faced constitutional injury from loss of control over its Guard, operational harm from diversion of troops trained for state emergencies and public safety risks.
    Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Aside from these extant benchmarks, experts have long debated what an ideal demonstration would look like.
    Matthew Hutson, IEEE Spectrum, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Tracking new information about the firm The other challenge for extant directors is to stay abreast of the news, 8-Ks, chatter, or sentiment about the firm between board meetings.
    Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Alive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alive. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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