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 The trouble is that prematurely assuming a chatbot is conscious could lead to all sorts of problems. Susan Schneider, Scientific American, 1 May 2025 But true agency requires conscious choice, not mere convenience. Gerui Wang, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025 The socially conscious Eaton DC has a community radio station and three floors of communal working spaces where travelers can connect with creative, like-minded locals. Amy Alipio, AFAR Media, 29 Apr. 2025 Wallner says the way women are approaching watches now is as versatile investment pieces that can be worn as easily and interchangeable as jewelry—a conscious shift that speaks both to how expensive watches can be, and the fact that there isn’t always a functional need for one. Talia Abbas, Vogue, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for conscious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conscious
Adjective
  • This process is vital for learning and memory and for being conscious and aware.
    David Oliver, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • Everyone is aware of the noise from the media and on the message boards (shoutout Lakers reddit), no one is acting like a trade is going to happen this summer for a couple of reasons.
    Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • Cannes got its own cliff-hanger ending on Saturday, the final day of the 78th film festival, when a power outage, apparently caused by deliberate sabotage, shut down the power grid serving the city and much of the surrounding region.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2025
  • The most effective tech leaders develop broad expertise through deliberate exploration and interactions.
    Dennis Kozak, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • First, the team worked with cat owners to obtain voluntary samples.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • As hurricane season is about to begin, the NWS is now offering voluntary reassignment opportunities to the remaining employees at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to fill 155 positions in offices around the country.
    Jade Walker, CNN Money, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • But Dhillon said the Biden administration wrongly attributed disparities in the treatment of racial minorities with intentional discrimination.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • Cultivate ‘Living Intelligence’ Through Curiosity This requires intentional practice in balancing the tension between predictability and possibility.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • By enforcing strict identity and access management (IAM) policies, organizations can prevent AI from overreaching its intended purpose and reduce the risk of data exposure.
    Sameer Malhotra, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
  • The young girl was not the intended target, sources emphasized.
    Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 12 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 27 May. 2025.

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