consciousness
10 synonyms and 1 antonym for consciousness, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The state of being awake and aware of one's surroundings and thoughts.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use consciousness
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
lose consciousness
raise consciousness
stream of consciousness
Etymology
From "conscious" + the noun-forming suffix "-ness."
Full origin of consciousness →Frequently asked questions
What does “consciousness” mean?
The word “consciousness” means the state of being awake and aware of one's surroundings and thoughts. In plain terms, the state of being aware — either awake versus unconscious, or aware of an issue.
How do you pronounce “consciousness”?
“Consciousness” is pronounced KON-shuhs-nuhs (/ˈkɑnʃəsnəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “consciousness” in a sentence?
Here is “consciousness” used in a sentence: “He briefly lost consciousness after hitting his head.”
What is another word for “consciousness”?
Words with a similar meaning to “consciousness” include awareness and witfulness.
What is the opposite of “consciousness”?
The opposite of “consciousness” — its antonyms — is unconsciousness.
What part of speech is “consciousness”?
“Consciousness” is a noun.
Is “consciousness” a common word?
“Consciousness” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “consciousness” have?
“Consciousness” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the state of being awake and aware of one's surroundings and thoughts.
What is the difference between "consciousness" and "conscience"?
"Consciousness" refers to the state of being awake and aware of your surroundings and thoughts, while "conscience" is your inner sense of right and wrong that guides moral behavior. Although the two words look similar, they are not interchangeable: you can lose consciousness by fainting, but you cannot lose your conscience in the same way.
What is the difference between "consciousness" and "awareness"?
"Awareness" simply means noticing or knowing that something exists, while "consciousness" describes the broader state of being awake and mentally alert to your surroundings and your own thoughts. Consciousness includes awareness, but it also covers the full experience of being a thinking, perceiving being.
