ALIVE Synonyms: 180 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of alive are awake , aware , cognizant , conscious , and sensible . While all these words mean "having knowledge of something," alive adds to sensible the implication of acute sensitivity to something. // alive to the thrill of danger

Q: When could 'awake' be used to replace 'alive'?

In some situations, the words awake and alive are roughly equivalent. However, awake implies that one has become alive to something and is on the alert. // a country always awake to the threat of invasion

Q: Where would 'aware' be a reasonable alternative to 'alive'?

While in some cases nearly identical to alive , aware implies vigilance in observing or alertness in drawing inferences from what one experiences. // aware of changes in climate

Q: When would 'cognizant' be a good substitute for 'alive'?

While the synonyms cognizant and alive are close in meaning, cognizant implies having special or certain knowledge as from firsthand sources. // not fully cognizant of the facts

Q: When can 'conscious' be used instead of 'alive'?

The words conscious and alive can be used in similar contexts, but 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 'sensible' a more appropriate choice than 'alive'?

Although the words sensible and alive have much in common, sensible implies direct or intuitive perceiving especially of intangibles or of emotional states or qualities. // sensible of a teacher's influence

alive

adjective

ə-ˈlīv

Definition of alive

as in breathing

having or showing life we were relieved to find that the little bird was still alive after crashing into the plate glass window

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in buzzing

marked by much life, movement, or activity the mall was alive with holiday shoppers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in operating

being in effective operation kept the cause of peace alive despite severe setbacks in relations between the two nations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in existing

having being at the present time describes her boyfriend as the sweetest guy alive

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in aware

having specified facts or feelings actively impressed on the mind alive to the need for major improvements in the school system

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective alive contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of alive are awake, aware, cognizant, conscious, and sensible. While all these words mean "having knowledge of something," alive adds to sensible the implication of acute sensitivity to something.

alive to the thrill of danger

When could awake be used to replace alive?

In some situations, the words awake and alive are roughly equivalent. However, awake implies that one has become alive to something and is on the alert.

a country always awake to the threat of invasion

Where would aware be a reasonable alternative to alive?

While in some cases nearly identical to alive, aware implies vigilance in observing or alertness in drawing inferences from what one experiences.

aware of changes in climate

When would cognizant be a good substitute for alive?

While the synonyms cognizant and alive are close in meaning, cognizant implies having special or certain knowledge as from firsthand sources.

not fully cognizant of the facts

When can conscious be used instead of alive?

The words conscious and alive can be used in similar contexts, but 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 sensible a more appropriate choice than alive?

Although the words sensible and alive have much in common, 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 alive One potential result of this is to stay alive, VCs will have more frequent exits of smaller amounts. —Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025 The Warriors hung three on the Sailors in the first, three more in the second and added two more in the third to keep their undefeated season alive. —Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 9 Mar. 2025 But there are 25 hostages still believed to be alive, including Ohel. —Caitlin McFall, Fox News, 9 Mar. 2025 Phase 2 talks are meant to negotiate an end to the war, including the return of all remaining hostages in Gaza who are alive, and the withdrawal of all Israeli troops from the territory. —Mohammad Jahjouh, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for alive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for alive

Adjective

Under Proposition 309, voters casting mail-in ballots could provide a driver's license or non-operating identification license number, the last four digits of a social security number, or a unique identifying number provided by the secretary of state for voter registration purposes.

— Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 27 Oct. 2022
The adjusted net income decreased by 8% y-o-y to $3.9 billion in the first nine months of 2022 due to higher expenses as a % of revenues and lower non-operating income.

— Trefis Team, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2023

Definition of operating

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a little

alive

aliveness

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“Alive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alive. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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Last Updated: 22 Mar 2025 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of alive

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