AWAKE Synonyms: 144 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'awake' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of awake are alive , aware , cognizant , conscious , and sensible . While all these words mean "having knowledge of something," awake implies that one has become alive to something and is on the alert. // a country always awake to the threat of invasion

Q: How do 'alive' and 'sensible' relate to one another, in the sense of 'awake'?

Alive adds to sensible the implication of acute sensitivity to something. // alive to the thrill of danger

Q: When is 'aware' a more appropriate choice than 'awake'?

The synonyms aware and awake are sometimes interchangeable, but aware implies vigilance in observing or alertness in drawing inferences from what one experiences. // aware of changes in climate

Q: In what contexts can 'cognizant' take the place of 'awake'?

In some situations, the words cognizant and awake are roughly equivalent. However, cognizant implies having special or certain knowledge as from firsthand sources. // not fully cognizant of the facts

Q: When would 'conscious' be a good substitute for 'awake'?

Although the words conscious and awake 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

Q: When is it sensible to use 'sensible' instead of 'awake'?

While the synonyms sensible and awake are close in meaning, sensible implies direct or intuitive perceiving especially of intangibles or of emotional states or qualities. // sensible of a teacher's influence

awake 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of awake next

as in wakeful

not sleeping or able to sleep was awake until 3:00 a.m.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in alert

paying close attention usually for the purpose of anticipating approaching danger or opportunity awake to the possibility of trouble at the demonstration

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

awake

2 of 2

verb

ə-ˈwāk

as in to wake

to cause to stop sleeping awoke the boys for breakfast

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to awaken

to cease to be asleep at the sound of breaking glass she awoke with a start

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective awake contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of awake are alive, aware, cognizant, conscious, and sensible. While all these words mean "having knowledge of something," awake implies that one has become alive to something and is on the alert.

a country always awake to the threat of invasion

How do alive and sensible relate to one another, in the sense of awake?

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

alive to the thrill of danger

When is aware a more appropriate choice than awake?

The synonyms aware and awake are sometimes interchangeable, but aware implies vigilance in observing or alertness in drawing inferences from what one experiences.

aware of changes in climate

In what contexts can cognizant take the place of awake?

In some situations, the words cognizant and awake are roughly equivalent. However, cognizant implies having special or certain knowledge as from firsthand sources.

not fully cognizant of the facts

When would conscious be a good substitute for awake?

Although the words conscious and awake 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 is it sensible to use sensible instead of awake?

While the synonyms sensible and awake are close in meaning, 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 awake

Adjective

The design offers 360-degree neck support, which prevents the most common issues of head bobbing and side-to-side movements that jolt you awake, all while providing comfort for the neck. —

Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2025 The proud parents also shared a picture of the infant cradled in a pink blanket, as well as a photo of awake Eevi in her carseat. —

Charna Flam, People.com, 30 Jan. 2025

Verb

In Wisconsin, residents of Green Bay awoke to a temperature of minus 12 degrees. —

John Bacon, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025 Los Angeles awoke on the morning of Jan. 7 unaware that the city and the people within it were about to change forever. —

Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for awake

Recent Examples of Synonyms for awake

Adjective

Lauren Goode: Who among us doesn't want to have a nap gently guided by our wakeful rhythm?

— Lauren Goode, WIRED, 16 Jan. 2025
Low to medium doses show a reduction in the alpha frequency of brain waves (which correspond to relaxed and wakeful states), along with rising entropy, a signature finding of sober brains sinking deeper into a trip.

— Oshan Jarow, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024