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 Each frame is carefully curated, looking like a painting, though perhaps, at times, ever so slightly conscious that it will eventually be housed on Netflix. Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025 The atmosphere had been lifted by the Premier League victory over Sunderland last Saturday, which eased pressure on head coach Ruben Amorim, although the Old Trafford hierarchy remain conscious of the febrile mood among supporters. Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025 On the conscious level, in the third episode, there is a scene about Tortora being a non-believer. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2025 Muir was fully conscious, trying not to panic, as a first wave tossed his body, then the second. Laylan Connelly, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for conscious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conscious
Adjective
  • In the other, the teenage boys are becoming aware that their comforts come at the expense of others.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The viewer also sees Selena studying Spanish, acutely aware of the pressures attached to her identity as a Mexican American performer.
    Cat Cardenas, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • On October 14, those flights revealed missile sites under construction, confirming that Soviet promises had been deliberate deception.
    Big Think, Big Think, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Garcia also warned of the danger of over-saturation, adding that artists have to be very deliberate with their output and touring strategies to avoid getting lost in an increasingly crowded space.
    Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Rockets, who surprisingly finished second in the West behind Oklahoma City last season, were dealt a tough blow over the summer, though, when point guard Fred VanVleet was lost for the season to a torn ACL suffered during a voluntary workout.
    Joe Vardon, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Wegmans Food Markets issued a voluntary recall of six varieties of cheesecake on September 26 because of undeclared pecans.
    News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s still room for ‘modern meadows’ where more naturalistic, wild designs meet refined borders and simplicity—providing a little distinction helps each area of your garden feel more intentional.
    Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The word ‘intentional’ is overused, and the act of being intentional is underutilized.
    Bo Howard, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Within weeks, James’s attorney Lowell issued a detailed rebuttal, accusing Pulte of selectively highlighting one document while ignoring others that clearly named the niece as the intended occupant.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2025
  • After straying from their intended path, the duo became stranded after attempting to descend an extremely steep alpine couloir without climbing equipment.
    Owen Clarke, Outside, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Given no choice, María Ángeles acquiesces to her daughter’s wishes and moves into the seniors’ home, where a hilarious exchange with a hairdresser wanting to chop off her long silver tresses typifies her iron-willed refusal to settle in.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Parker will play Mary Washington, George’s strong willed mother, while Rodgers will play Sally Cary, the charming beauty of the Virginia gentry who first sees his potential.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Conscious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conscious. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

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