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 People in China are acutely conscious of the limits of permissible speech there and how crossing those lines can affect their future. Lavender Au, The Atlantic, 2 July 2025 Paloma Wool Originating in Barcelona, Paloma Wool specializes in conscious garments and accessories to be worn as an art form, where getting dressed is not just a necessity, but an expression of oneself. Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 24 June 2025 Much has been made about the conscious uncoupling of Devers and the Red Sox last Sunday. Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 20 June 2025 Related Stories As retailers work to incentivize repeat-purchase behavior more than ever—thanks, in part, to U.S. President Donald Trump’s back-and-forth tariff strategy, which has seen retailers considering price increases and consumers becoming even more price conscious. Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for conscious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conscious
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
  • Not by publishing randomly, but by following a deliberate editorial calendar, revisiting your core challenges, and ensuring each new piece of content connects to the larger arc of your thought leadership story.
    Rhea Wessel, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
  • Amanda Edwards/WireImage Unlike luxury fashion or high-end accessories, where scarcity is often a deliberate strategy to generate buzz, products like jam and wine fall into the realm of everyday indulgences.
    Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • Such findings have almost always been resolved through voluntary resolutions between schools and the federal government.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2025
  • To that end, the feds can often compel witnesses to talk and share evidence (in contrast, the NBA relies on the voluntary cooperation of people outside the league).
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • From staying focused on real problems to designing flexible business models, small but intentional decisions along the way to launch can make all the difference.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • Again, all of those things could be inadvertent or intentional.
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • Christensen’s unique trick is also proof that a makeup product doesn’t have to just be used for its singular, intended purpose, which reminds us of Salma Hayek’s hack for covering gray hairs.
    Izzy Baskette, People.com, 18 June 2025
  • However, in a complex system with multiple centers of power and influence, this approach encountered immediate resistance from other control figures like Marco Rubio and Kash Patel, ultimately fading away without achieving its intended purpose.
    Dr. Alex Gold, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • Lawson will play Sarah Silver, the strong willed and decisive Superintendent in the Boston Police Department who is Lena’s stepsister.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 2 June 2025
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Conscious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conscious. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

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