Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective conscious contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of conscious are alive, awake, aware, cognizant, and sensible. While all these words mean "having knowledge of something," conscious implies that one is focusing one's attention on something or is even preoccupied by it.

conscious that my heart was pounding

How are the words alive and sensible related as synonyms of conscious?

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

alive to the thrill of danger

In what contexts can awake take the place of conscious?

While in some cases nearly identical to conscious, awake implies that one has become alive to something and is on the alert.

a country always awake to the threat of invasion

When might aware be a better fit than conscious?

In some situations, the words aware and conscious are roughly equivalent. However, aware implies vigilance in observing or alertness in drawing inferences from what one experiences.

aware of changes in climate

When can cognizant be used instead of conscious?

The synonyms cognizant and conscious are sometimes interchangeable, but cognizant implies having special or certain knowledge as from firsthand sources.

not fully cognizant of the facts

When is sensible a more appropriate choice than conscious?

The words sensible and conscious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 conscious Alonso was conscious of this when speaking on Thursday in Spain. Luke Smith, New York Times, 31 May 2025 Plus, the adjustable cinch waist is equally as flattering for hiking trails as navigating the style conscious streets of Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia. Siobhan Reid, Travel + Leisure, 30 May 2025 To actually doing more conscious, neo-soul, boom-bap type of rap at the time. Michael Saponara, Billboard, 30 May 2025 Yet their follow-up film, Bring Her Back, feels like a conscious swerve away from those roots. David Sims, The Atlantic, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for conscious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conscious
Adjective
  • Constance was aware of others around them observing the scene.
    Jim Shepard, New Yorker, 8 June 2025
  • Fatal attack The Pentagon is painfully aware of the threat.
    Tom Vanden Brook, USA Today, 8 June 2025
Adjective
  • Going the extra mile should be thoughtful and deliberate, creating a lasting impact without breaking the bank.
    Jacob Orrin, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • The Aztecs must be deliberate and thorough in their search.
    Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • McMahon announced roughly half the agency's workforce would be eliminated through a combination of mass layoffs and voluntary buyouts.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 7 June 2025
  • Jennifer Kellogg, who stayed with the couple the week of the killing, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 17 years in prison, according to Antelope Valley Press.
    Emily Blackwood, People.com, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Bruins got singles from Savannah Pola and Jordan Woolery followed by an intentional walk to Grant.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
  • This underscores the urgent need for intentional rest practices that go beyond traditional vacation days.
    Jasmine Browley, Essence, 2 June 2025
Adjective
  • Under normal circumstances, detecting rashes in a small vaccine-safety study would represent a routine scientific setback, and prove that the trials served their intended purpose.
    Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 31 May 2025
  • Uncontrolled access to huge volumes of data and autonomy can compromise an organization's security when AI agents turn rogue and deviate from their intended purpose.
    Steve Durbin, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • Carnegie is convinced that sincerity is as easily willed as a ready smile and a memory for names.
    Ann Hulbert, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The entire texture of that life, its willed imposture.
    Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Conscious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conscious. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on conscious

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