aware

adjective

ə-ˈwer How to pronounce aware (audio)
Synonyms of aware
1
: having or showing realization, perception, or knowledge
be aware of the danger
aware of the latest advances in medicine
2
archaic : watchful, wary

Synonyms of aware

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aware, cognizant, conscious, sensible, alive, awake mean having knowledge of something.

aware implies vigilance in observing or alertness in drawing inferences from what one experiences.

aware of changes in climate

cognizant implies having special or certain knowledge as from firsthand sources.

not fully cognizant of the facts

conscious implies that one is focusing one's attention on something or is even preoccupied by it.

conscious that my heart was pounding

sensible implies direct or intuitive perceiving especially of intangibles or of emotional states or qualities.

sensible of a teacher's influence

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

alive to the thrill of danger

awake implies that one has become alive to something and is on the alert.

a country always awake to the threat of invasion

Examples of aware in a Sentence

Are you aware how important you are to me? She is one of the most aware people I know.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The brothers were apparently never scheduled to appear at the conference, though journalists and fans in the room seemed to not be aware of this. — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026 Frankel is nothing if not wise to her brand, and unflinchingly aware of how to deliver the goods to her audience. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026 Friedman is also acutely aware that now there’s a new lens to look through when people revisit a Britney Spears performance. — Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026 The woman was under the influence but remained conscious and aware of what was occurring, according to the affidavit. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for aware

Word History

Etymology

Middle English iwar, iwarre, going back to Old English gewær, going back to West Germanic *gawaro- (whence Old Saxon & Old High German giwar "cognizant"), from *ga-, perfective, associative and collective prefix + Germanic *waro- "cognizant, watchful" — more at com-, ware entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of aware was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing aware

Rhymes for aware

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Cite this Entry

“Aware.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aware. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

aware

adjective
ə-ˈwa(ə)r How to pronounce aware (audio)
-ˈwe(ə)r
: having or showing understanding or knowledge : conscious
awareness noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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