Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective cognizant contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of cognizant are alive, awake, aware, conscious, and sensible. While all these words mean "having knowledge of something," cognizant implies having special or certain knowledge as from firsthand sources.

not fully cognizant of the facts

How do alive and sensible relate to one another, in the sense of cognizant?

Alive adds to sensible the implication of acute sensitivity to something.

alive to the thrill of danger

When would awake be a good substitute for cognizant?

The words awake and cognizant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, awake implies that one has become alive to something and is on the alert.

a country always awake to the threat of invasion

In what contexts can aware take the place of cognizant?

The meanings of aware and cognizant largely overlap; however, aware implies vigilance in observing or alertness in drawing inferences from what one experiences.

aware of changes in climate

When might conscious be a better fit than cognizant?

Although the words conscious and cognizant have much in common, conscious implies that one is focusing one's attention on something or is even preoccupied by it.

conscious that my heart was pounding

When can sensible be used instead of cognizant?

While in some cases nearly identical to cognizant, 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 cognizant Savvy business owners are generally cognizant of macroeconomic, geopolitical, and other extraneous elements that impact their performance. Jeffrey Johnston, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025 These days, the company is even more than cognizant of greater competition for top talent. David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2025 But enough to be cognizant of how the stadium can play tricks on fly balls. Will Sammon, New York Times, 20 May 2025 Pet owners also should be cognizant of hot asphalt and not let their pets linger on the scalding surfaces. Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for cognizant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cognizant
aware
Adjective
  • Having arrived from Mercedes in 2023, a team that had won nine Constructors' Championships, Vowles is aware of the mindset a winning team needs to have.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
  • The federal police document said Bolsonaro was both aware of the scheme and its main beneficiary.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cognizant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cognizant. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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