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 Advertising campaigns are leaning heavily on the theme of value, a message designed to resonate with cost-conscious families forced to make sharper tradeoffs in their daily spending. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025 Headphone Deal With a hefty 71% markdown, the Yamaha YH-E700B are a good budget-conscious option for anyone in need of some wireless noise-cancelling headphones. Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 3 Sep. 2025 Fans can find more vegan, vegetarian, and health-conscious choices, such as those from newcomers Breadless and Cooking with Que. Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2025 Higher-conscious leadership is the integration of emotional regulation, intuitive insight and ethical grounding. Dr. Adil Dalal, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for conscious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conscious
Adjective
  • European policymakers were fully aware of the reorganization and job losses at Volkswagen, Luman said, amid broader concerns that falling employment in Germany’s historic car industry could put even more positions at risk.
    Sam Meredith, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
  • More importantly, people became aware of the ecological value and beauty of raptors and turned against killing them.
    Tom Langen, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Understand who holds the greatest influence over promotion decisions in your organization and make a deliberate effort to be visible to them.
    Roberta Matuson, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Acutis' canonization marks a deliberate Vatican effort to present contemporary, relatable holy figures who can speak to younger generations about faith lived in the digital age.
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Code does not distinguish between voluntary and involuntary expatriation.
    Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The 30-year-old accepted a voluntary provisional suspension on June 2, which will now expire on April 2, 2026 following the outcome of European football’s governing body.
    Colin Millar, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Falwell sued for invasion of privacy, libel and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
    BrieAnna J. Frank, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Like most extended car warranty providers, CarShield excludes pre-existing conditions that existed before your warranty took effect, as well as damage resulting from poor maintenance, neglect or intentional abuse.
    Brian Sloan, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In the eight- and 16-bit era, the key art used in a game’s pack-in manual was more intended to stir the imagination.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Many more were maimed, and almost all the carnage was the direct and intended result of Iran’s nascent Axis.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • Claiborne said the property was eventually willed to Vanderbilt University, which in turn sold it to the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County in 1968.
    Austin Hornbostel, The Tennessean, 4 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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