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 subliminal message between the two cover shots didn’t go unnoticed.
—
Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
As bassist Ian Hill points out, since the alleged (and in fact non-existent) messages were subliminal, they were being asked to prove that something which couldn’t be detected wasn’t there.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 20 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for subliminal
Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
As bassist Ian Hill points out, since the alleged (and in fact non-existent) messages were subliminal, they were being asked to prove that something which couldn’t be detected wasn’t there.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 20 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for subliminal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subliminal
Adjective
-
These are products have a short, simple ingredient lists that are easy to understand for regular consumers and are free from additives.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
7 May 2026
-
Sometimes this involved simple in-person observations.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 May 2026
-
For one, the home would need to have a supply of electrical and mechanical resources that are fairly reliable, since Farney says that a data center will exceed residential power supply really fast.—
Kevin Williams,
CNBC,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
Raspberry Pi powers the robotic alien A Raspberry Pi 5 sits at the heart of the robot, connected to a PCA9685 HAT that controls the servo motors and movement.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
8 May 2026
-
Alongside the crew landers, dozens of robotic and cargo landings will deliver payloads to scout for a future Moon base and demonstrate technologies for larger vehicles, mining and resource utilization, and sustained operations during the two-week-long lunar night.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
This retrograde is stirring up your subconscious mind, private emotions, and hidden fears in ways that can feel strangely revealing.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
-
By evening, disruptive Uranus enters your 12th House of Secrets and Solitude, stirring dreams, memories, and subconscious patterns.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Eva Petzel, who will be an inspector working in Crown Point on election day, worked with mechanic Doug Kiser on a practice tutorial at the Lake County Government Complex on Saturday.—
Deborah Laverty,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
-
Voters will decide in November on whether the union leader and mechanic stays in the seat ahead of the 2027 legislative session.—
Lina Ruiz
May 1,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Upon arrival, officers found the man lying on the ground, unconscious and cold to the touch, the department said.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
-
Parker and Larsen arrived at the home and found two men unconscious in a hallway between a bedroom and a bathroom.—
Lexi Lane,
PEOPLE,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
That reflex delays care and erodes trust.—
Liz Koch,
STAT,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The ten seconds that led to the Braylon Mullins’ miracle shot were a series of reflex plays, reactions, the ultimate in instincts taking over, living in the split second, rather than in the moment.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Plus, its hidden side pockets can stash cords, bobby pins and backup lip balm.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
-
These climate solutions currently remain hidden in plain sight.—
Paige Stein,
Hartford Courant,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subliminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subliminal. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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