Definition of awarenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective aware contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of aware are alive, awake, cognizant, conscious, and sensible. While all these words mean "having knowledge of something," aware implies vigilance in observing or alertness in drawing inferences from what one experiences.

aware of changes in climate

How are the words alive and sensible related as synonyms of aware?

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

alive to the thrill of danger

When could awake be used to replace aware?

While the synonyms awake and aware are close in meaning, 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 cognizant be a better fit than aware?

While in some cases nearly identical to aware, cognizant implies having special or certain knowledge as from firsthand sources.

not fully cognizant of the facts

When is it sensible to use conscious instead of aware?

In some situations, the words conscious and aware are roughly equivalent. However, conscious implies that one is focusing one's attention on something or is even preoccupied by it.

conscious that my heart was pounding

In what contexts can sensible take the place of aware?

The words sensible and aware 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 aware But at the basic level, the tax-aware long-short strategy is both buying stocks and shorting some of them to create losses that can then offset your tax bill. — Cooper Katz McKim, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026 Four years before that, the governor ordered an independent review into capital punishment after abruptly stopping the April 2022 execution of Oscar Smith in the 11th hour when officials became aware of a mishandling of the drugs. — ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026 Lew testified that a person being suffocated would be aware of their impending fate and could take minutes to die. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026 The investigators were not aware of any previous reports or concerns involving Chen, according to the Sheriff’s Office. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for aware
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aware
Adjective
  • Going into the referendum, both Goodfriend and Fortich are conscious of the fact that affordability is on people’s minds — and that another high-profile property tax question, Florida’s Amendment 3, is on their ballots.
    — Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Witnesses reported that Pike complained of pain in her arm and remained conscious after the first dose.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • For instance, did the Soviets invade Afghanistan out of (a) fear of Muslim insurgency, (b) Iran-cognizant Realpolitik or (c) lust for a port on the Persian Gulf?
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Words can cut deeply from Mercury’s moonwalk in Scorpio, so be cognizant of their ability to contribute to already fraught and tense situations.
    — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 22 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The mindful alignment of body and mind is the guiding maxim of the spa.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Cramer said investors also must be mindful of Grail's valuation as a money-losing company.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Smaller banks may not be able to participate in the process and even large ones may initially be wary of untested new rules.
    — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Marlow has a long list of reasons to be wary of Flock and similar systems.
    — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aware.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aware. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!