Synonyms of cognizant

cognizant

adjective

ˈkäg-nə-zənt 

as in aware

having specified facts or feelings actively impressed on the mind

not fully cognizant of the details of the trade agreement

Synonyms & Similar Words

• aware
• conscious
• mindful
• apprehensive
• sentient
• regardful
• sensible
• ware
• wary
• alive
• careful
• cautious
• vigilant
• watchful
• witting
• observant
• attentive
• alert
• heedful
• wide-awake
• safe
• open-eyed
• hyperaware
• hyperconscious

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unaware
• oblivious
• unconscious
• unmindful
• unwitting
• insensible
• careless
• heedless
• inattentive
• mindless
• unguarded
• incautious
• unwary
• unheeding

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

Recent Examples of cognizant

At the liability trial in 2023, Perry and her lawyers brought in text messages, emails, and witness testimony showing Westcott was alert and cognizant during his sale of the Montecito estate. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 26 Nov. 2025

Everest hopefuls should also be cognizant of high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE), which Cleveland Clinic describes as a swelling in the brain due to a lack of oxygen. —Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025

People are advised to refrain from burning until conditions improve and also be cognizant of frigid temperatures and make efforts to protect themselves from the cold. —Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025

Rising Production Costs Drive Asian Co-Production Pivot Producers in Asia are cognizant of rising costs in their domestic markets. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025