1
as in awareness
a state of being aware
take cognizance of what is happening
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in familiarity
knowledge gained by personal experience
seemed to have no cognizance of last night's events
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 cognizance
This year, the Judiciary Committee, which has cognizance over everything from prisons and courts to criminal law and civil penalties, advanced bills having to do with cannabis offenses, street takeovers and wrongful incarceration.
—
Jaden Edison, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2024
His cognizance of and desire to confront social bigotry permeated his body of work as a producer, starting with his magnum opus All in the Family.
—Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Dec. 2023
The Gulf of Finland is under the cognizance of Finland (within its 12 nautical miles of territorial water), Sweden, Estonia and Russia.
—Eric Tegler, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023
Courts must take cognizance.
—Niharika Sharma, Quartz, 29 Sep. 2021
See All Example Sentences for cognizance
Jaden Edison, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2024
His cognizance of and desire to confront social bigotry permeated his body of work as a producer, starting with his magnum opus All in the Family.
—Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Dec. 2023
The Gulf of Finland is under the cognizance of Finland (within its 12 nautical miles of territorial water), Sweden, Estonia and Russia.
—Eric Tegler, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023
Courts must take cognizance.
—Niharika Sharma, Quartz, 29 Sep. 2021
See All Example Sentences for cognizance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cognizance
Noun
-
Even Julian Hector, former head of the BBC Studios Natural History Unit, called it the most influential Attenborough program in terms of conservation awareness.—
Boutayna Chokrane,
Wired News,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Healing Appalachia, a music festival that raises awareness for and celebrates recovery from opioid addiction, is moving from West Virginia to eastern Kentucky this September with the fest’s co-founder Tyler Childers headlining alongside Chris Stapleton.—
Brittany Spanos,
Rolling Stone,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Both quarterbacks are near the end of their careers and are clearly on the decline, but Cousins has the familiarity with other players and the coaching staff that Rodgers doesn't have.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Still, any familiarity with these typologies is sent to rout by the images themselves.—
Ocean Vuong,
New Yorker,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Meanwhile Harris Dickinson, 28 gained attention with his role in 2024’s erotic thriller film Babydoll, playing a young intern who has a tumultuous relationship with his CEO, portrayed by Nicole Kidman.—
Zoya Hasan,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
-
And his angry Instagram reaction to fans’ social media accounts picking up on his words spoke of a man who cannot live with the attention but cannot live without it.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
She was focused on deepening her friendships with her acquaintances and now costars and trying out a new platform for her already burgeoning career as a model and influencer.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Organized Crime Premiere: Stabler and Benson Reunite Under Dire Circumstances as Season 5 Begins — Read Episodes 1 and 2 Recap At Meredith’s old house, Blue ticked off Simone by letting a guy who was barely an almost acquaintance crash there without telling her.—
Charlie Mason,
TVLine,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
By focusing on one specific activity rather than general leisure, the study revealed how knitting promotes mindfulness, sparks creativity and even encourages social connection — whether through community groups or online forums.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Urge surfing is a mindfulness tool used to help people with addictions cope with cravings without acting on them.—
Katy Bowman,
NPR,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
What began as a membership club has facilitated 1,000+ job placements and helped members secure over $800,000 in funding while building partnerships with global brands like Apple, Nike, and L'Oréal. Also driven by personal experience is Ba Linh Le, 28.—
Brianne Garrett,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Sachs spoke at that event, appearing and sounding emotional on stage while eulogizing the young officer, a military veteran who had about two years of experience on the police force.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The ending sense of consciousness limbo that has capped off so many other sci-fi stories may seem like an extra unnecessary layer of doom.—
Steve Greene,
IndieWire,
12 Apr. 2025
-
Too much stress, trauma or some devastating life event and all the emotions that have been stuffed down start to knock at the door of consciousness.—
Jessica DuLong,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cognizance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cognizance. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share