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
Heather Price, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
The initial drafts of a novel are often where our subconscious patterns emerge of their own accord, those that the text’s logic then follows.
—Issa Quincy
july 16, Literary Hub, 16 July 2025
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
By vividly imagining success, individuals prime their subconscious to pursue that reality.
—Dr. Adil Dalal, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subconscious
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Adjective
In a foundational study, it was found that companies professing a strong belief in meritocracy were more likely to reward men over equally performing women because the belief in objectivity ironically reduces self-scrutiny in decisions, giving managers subconscious permission to act on stereotypes.
—Heather Price, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
The initial drafts of a novel are often where our subconscious patterns emerge of their own accord, those that the text’s logic then follows.
—Issa Quincy
july 16, Literary Hub, 16 July 2025
Noun
The mainstay topic of subliminal messaging refers to the use of subliminal stimuli that mentally burrow into the subconscious of the human mind.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
By vividly imagining success, individuals prime their subconscious to pursue that reality.
—Dr. Adil Dalal, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subconscious
Cite this Entry
“Subconscious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subconscious. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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
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