sub·con·scious
ˌsəb-ˈkän(t)-shəs 
ˈsəb-
: existing in the mind but not immediately available to consciousness
a subconscious motive
subconsciousness
noun
: the mental activities just below the threshold of consciousness
Examples of subconscious in a Sentence
Noun
A person's behavior can be influenced by urges that exist only in the subconscious.
Those feelings had been hidden in her subconscious.
Recent Examples on the Web
Mark Travers, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
Influenced by Freud, the Surrealists dove into the subconscious mind, especially dreams and nightmares.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 2 Dec. 2024
Lindsey Bahr, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2024
The human subconscious can quickly recognize and process such associations in a way that appears almost automatic to the conscious mind.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 Aug. 2017
See all Example Sentences for subconscious 
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.
Adjective
Your ‘Type’ Reflects Your Past, Not Your Potential Your type often acts like a subconscious roadmap, guiding you toward people who feel familiar.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
Influenced by Freud, the Surrealists dove into the subconscious mind, especially dreams and nightmares.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 2 Dec. 2024
Noun
His themes are profound and his exploration of them sincere in films that are imbued with strange and haunting images that rattle around in your subconscious for far too long.
—Lindsey Bahr, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2024
The human subconscious can quickly recognize and process such associations in a way that appears almost automatic to the conscious mind.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 Aug. 2017
See all Example Sentences for subconscious
Dictionary Entries Near subconscious
Cite this Entry
“Subconscious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subconscious. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
subconscious
1 of 2 adjective
sub·con·scious
ˌsəb-ˈkän-chəs
ˈsəb-
: existing in the mind but not immediately available to consciousness
a subconscious motive
subconsciously
adverb
subconscious
2 of 2 noun
: the mental activities just below the limit of consciousness
Medical Definition
subconscious
1 of 2 adjective
sub·con·scious
ˌsəb-ˈkän-chəs, ˈsəb-
1
: existing in the mind but not immediately available to consciousness : affecting thought, feeling, and behavior without entering awareness
subconscious motives
a subconscious reflex
2
: imperfectly conscious : partially but not fully aware
the persistence of subconscious dream activity for several minutes after waking—Psychological Abstracts
Psychological Abstracts
subconsciously
adverb
subconsciousness
noun
subconscious
2 of 2 noun
: the mental activities just below the threshold of consciousness
also
: the aspect of the mind concerned with such activities compare unconscious
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share