Synonym Chooser

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 Safety & Support Licensed Michigan casino apps are safe, financially stable, and cognizant of their responsibilities to their customers. Christopher Gerlacher, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2025 But of all the border hard-liners in the incoming administration, Homan is perhaps the most cognizant of the limits of the government's ability to deliver on promises of mass deportation -- and the potential for a political backlash. Nick Miroff The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 27 Dec. 2024 In planning, organizers are cognizant of the winter holidays and design the event to get people out dining during what are typically slower months for restaurants, Conners said. Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2025 Second, the union and players are cognizant that the agency’s five-person board is in flux and could become less favorable to Dartmouth athletes. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 31 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cognizant 

Thesaurus Entries Near cognizant

Cite this Entry

“Cognizant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cognizant. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on cognizant

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