cognizant

adjective

ˈkäg-nə-zənt How to pronounce cognizant (audio)
Definition of cognizantnext
as in aware
having specified facts or feelings actively impressed on the mind not fully cognizant of the details of the trade agreement

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the adjective cognizant contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of cognizant are alive, awake, aware, conscious, and sensible. While all these words mean "having knowledge of something," cognizant implies having special or certain knowledge as from firsthand sources.

not fully cognizant of the facts

How do alive and sensible relate to one another, in the sense of cognizant?

Alive adds to sensible the implication of acute sensitivity to something.

alive to the thrill of danger

When would awake be a good substitute for cognizant?

The words awake and cognizant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, awake implies that one has become alive to something and is on the alert.

a country always awake to the threat of invasion

In what contexts can aware take the place of cognizant?

The meanings of aware and cognizant largely overlap; however, aware implies vigilance in observing or alertness in drawing inferences from what one experiences.

aware of changes in climate

When might conscious be a better fit than cognizant?

Although the words conscious and cognizant have much in common, conscious implies that one is focusing one's attention on something or is even preoccupied by it.

conscious that my heart was pounding

When can sensible be used instead of cognizant?

While in some cases nearly identical to cognizant, 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 cognizant Clark, who spoke before the game but not after it, is cognizant of her importance and takes being a role model seriously. —Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 21 June 2025 Like six Super Bowls Making good on that, though, will require a keener awareness of what’s ahead than perhaps most people are cognizant of yet. —Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2025 A number of Musk allies are still working with the Department of Government Efficiency, and officials are said to be cognizant of those who may now have conflicts of interest or dueling loyalties. —Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 9 June 2025 Savvy business owners are generally cognizant of macroeconomic, geopolitical, and other extraneous elements that impact their performance. —Jeffrey Johnston, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for cognizant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cognizant
aware
Adjective
  • Authorities aren't aware of any other injured, Police Chief Joe Silva said.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 26 July 2025
  • Young musicians coming out of music schools should be aware of all the other kinds of music, and should be able to play those other types of music, because 95 percent of them will not play in symphony orchestras or as soloists.
    — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 July 2025
Definition of aware

Browse Nearby Words

cognizance
cognizant
cognize
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Cite this Entry

“Cognizant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cognizant. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of cognizant for Spanish Speakers

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