conscious

adjective

ˈkän(t)-shəs How to pronounce conscious (audio)
Definition of consciousnext
1
as in aware
having specified facts or feelings actively impressed on the mind conscious of the fact that my hands were sweating the whole time that I was making my presentation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deliberate
made, given, or done with full awareness of what one is doing a conscious effort to instill discord in the family

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Acer Chromebook Deals Chromebook Plus is a conscious effort from Google in partnership with hardware manufacturers to deliver a ChromeOS portable that still keeps costs down but pushes performance a little harder. —PC Magazine, 11 July 2025 Baseball bats aren't the only thing Colt is good at picking up, and he could be considered environmentally conscious. —Liliana Fannin, jsonline.com, 3 July 2025 But neighbors have raised concerns about whether the company will handle demolition in a safe and environmentally conscious way. —Lily Carey, Chicago Tribune, 3 July 2025 The two individuals were conscious when police arrived, while Tarpinian-Jachym was unconscious. —Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for conscious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conscious
  1. aware
  2. deliberate
  3. voluntary
  4. intentional
  5. intended
  6. willed
Adjective
  • 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
  • Authorities aren't aware of any other injured, Police Chief Joe Silva said.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 26 July 2025
Definition of aware
Adjective
  • Choosing to slow decision-making processes and make deliberate moves can seem radical in a competitive business market, but this investment over time can result in significant changes with lasting effects.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
  • While clutter implies disorganization or neglect, the messy girl look is a deliberate embrace of imperfection that still feels cozy and intentional.
    — Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 July 2025
Definition of deliberate
Adjective
  • Viewers and listeners of PBS and NPR are significantly more affluent than the average American, which gives them the means to support public broadcasting through voluntary contributions.
    — The Editors, National Review, 14 July 2025
  • On June 9, Alma Pak International LLC announced a voluntary recall of 400 boxes of its organic blueberries due to the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.
    — Raven Brunner, People.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of voluntary
Adjective
  • For example, many industries are intentional about cultivating parasocial relationships, such as professional sports leagues with their athletes, music companies with their artists, and even political parties with their candidates.
    — Eric Wood, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
  • As the investigation continues, a growing body of evidence suggests the possibility that the crash was intentional, fueled debate over how pilots are screened, supported and monitored for mental health concerns.
    — Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
Definition of intentional
Adjective
  • Coupling price transparency reforms with policies that address the abuses by contract pharmacies and ensure that 340B hospitals serve their intended purpose can rein in the 340B program materially improve drug affordability.
    — Wayne Winegarden, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
  • But during the protracted legal wrangling the growth cap stayed in place — and served its intended purpose.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 July 2025
Definition of intended
Adjective
  • Connor McDavid almost single-handedly willed the Oilers to a comeback win in Game 1 with four points from the end of the second period onward.
    — Eric Stephens, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
  • The forward almost willed the Lions to the Final Four, averaging 35.0 points per game over four games.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of willed

Browse Nearby Words

conscionable
conscious
consciously
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Conscious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conscious. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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