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.
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Wexner’s attorneys told prosecutors Epstein owned a property about a half mile away and that Wexner’s security team was not aware of any inappropriate incident occurring on the Wexner property.—Curt Devine, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026 The filing went on to say the plaintiffs demonstrated that criminal activity indeed takes place at the Eco Motel, and that the motel’s owners are aware of and tolerate that activity.—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Feb. 2026 Sharpton credited Jackson for keeping him grounded, active and aware.—Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 17 Feb. 2026 The American trio of Casey Dawson, Emery Lehman and Ethan Cepurian — who got the bronze in the event at the 2022 Beijing Olympics and set the world record in November — weren’t aware of Giovannini’s gesture.—Howard Fendrich, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 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