as in simple
functioning outside the area of conscious awareness but acting to influence one's thoughts or feelings
A subliminal image was embedded in the advertisement. The subliminal sounds supposedly aid in getting to sleep, but I am skeptical.
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Recent Examples of subliminal
The creature’s journey from animal to man is more subtle than a straightforward erasure of the animal sounds, as Robitaille wanted the shift to feel natural and subliminal.
—
Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 20 Feb. 2026
The only other major drama the documentary spends any length of time with is the notorious 1990 trial in which the band was accused of putting subliminal messages in a song after the double suicide of two young men.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Feb. 2026
Those in the public eye are not immune to society’s subliminal, and now not-so-subliminal, messaging about bodies.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 6 Dec. 2025
The popularity of self-checkout, then, could suggest a subliminal shift in some shoppers’ priorities—an aversion to waiting might be outweighed these days by a reluctance to engage with other people.
—Valerie Trapp, The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subliminal
Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 20 Feb. 2026
The only other major drama the documentary spends any length of time with is the notorious 1990 trial in which the band was accused of putting subliminal messages in a song after the double suicide of two young men.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Feb. 2026
Those in the public eye are not immune to society’s subliminal, and now not-so-subliminal, messaging about bodies.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 6 Dec. 2025
The popularity of self-checkout, then, could suggest a subliminal shift in some shoppers’ priorities—an aversion to waiting might be outweighed these days by a reluctance to engage with other people.
—Valerie Trapp, The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subliminal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subliminal
Adjective
-
Engineers have developed a simple strategy to help robots remain stable while repairing satellites in orbit by using a second robotic arm to counterbalance movements.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Don’t be afraid to suggest budget caps for group plans, because everyone relaxes when guidelines are simple and visible.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Flying the morning of an important presentation may not raise any obvious red flags, but that tight scheduling leaves no margin for unexpected obstacles, like weather events or mechanical issues.—
Abby Price,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Betts thought all the assistive tools and apps on the market sounded too robotic.—
Meghan Schiller,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The robotic arm, known as Canadarm, was used to deploy, maneuver, and capture payloads for the astronauts.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
To really pick at this raw nerve, Menzies returns to narrate these passages from Frank’s book and taunt Jamie’s subconscious.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
7 Mar. 2026
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The study even highlights the intricate mental processes involved in the simple act of lifting an arm to draw—an action that requires conscious intention, subconscious planning, and motor execution.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, mechanic Fausto Oppici is in the back seat, a cooler of water bottles at his feet and five spare wheels next to him.—
Andy McGrath,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The stranger told him about airframe and power plant mechanic school.—
Wilborn P. Nobles III,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Officers responded to reports of an unconscious 42-year-old man lying in the grass near Cottonwood Creek Trail Friday evening.—
Elissa Jorgensen,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The panel watched footage of an unconscious 17-year-old girl being raped by Oren Alexander, which the public was not permitted to see.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Every time missiles fly over the Middle East, the same reflex kicks in: Traders panic, headlines scream about $100 oil, and columnists invoke the 1973 Arab oil embargo.—
Wael Mahdi,
semafor.com,
1 Mar. 2026
-
There was a reflex stop on a David Kämpf flash rebound in the second period.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This can stop hidden malware from being installed while you are distracted by a convincing scam pitch.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
9 Mar. 2026
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This clever lift-top coffee table doubles as hidden storage, revealing a spacious interior compartment for blankets, pillows, board games, and other living room essentials.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subliminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subliminal. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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