self-awareness

6 synonyms and 2 antonyms for self-awareness, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — Accurate knowledge of your own character, feelings, motives and effect on other people.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

insight

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

self-knowledge introspection self-understanding self-consciousness sentience

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

Accurate knowledge of your own character, feelings, motives and effect on other people.

“She had the self-awareness to admit that she talks over people when nervous.”

self-knowledge insight introspection self-understanding

Opposites

obliviousness self-deception

2. noun technical

In psychology and philosophy, the capacity of a being to recognise itself as an individual distinct from its environment and from others.

“The mirror test is used to probe self-awareness in animals.”

self-consciousness sentience

How to use self-awareness

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

a lack of self-awareness develop self-awareness zero self-awareness emotional self-awareness

Neutral; extremely common in workplace, coaching and psychology writing.

Etymology

From self- + awareness. Also equivalent to self-aware + -ness, though attested earlier.

Full origin of self-awareness →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between self-awareness and self-consciousness?

Self-awareness is understanding yourself clearly and it is generally a strength. Self-consciousness, in everyday English, is the uncomfortable feeling of being watched and judged. Only in technical philosophy does self-consciousness carry the neutral sense of knowing oneself to exist.

How do you improve self-awareness?

The reliable methods combine internal reflection with outside information: keeping a journal, noticing physical and emotional reactions as they happen, and above all asking people who will be honest with you how you come across. Research consistently finds that introspection alone tends to confirm the story you already tell about yourself.

Is self-awareness the same as emotional intelligence?

No, it is one component of it. Emotional intelligence is usually broken into self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and relationship management, with self-awareness treated as the foundation the others rest on.

People also searched

insight introspection obliviousness sentience

Nearby words

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