consciously

[ kon-shuhs-lee ]

adverb

1. with knowledge or awareness of one's own existence, sensations, thoughts, surroundings, etc.:

   Negative attitudes can be reinforced, both consciously and unconsciously, by teachers, parents, and peers.

   At any moment we probably aren't consciously aware of most of the sounds around us.

2. with clear intent; deliberately:

   The need to consciously make time for exercise is a relatively recent phenomenon.

3. in a way that is sustainable, or with awareness of one’s effect on the environment, society, etc.:

   Shop locally and consciously, and support a business that supports our community.

Other Words From

• half-con·scious·ly adverb
• non·con·scious·ly adverb
• o·ver·con·scious·ly adverb
• qua·si-con·scious·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of consciously¹

conscious ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

But a former Reid adviser, James Manley, said he believes Trump is consciously trying to erode that boundary, and he’s skeptical that Republican lawmakers have the stomach to stand up to him.

From Los Angeles Times

At “The Big D,” Golden and comics Shawn Pelofsky, Ismael Loutfi, Christie Campagna and Torrance Hill — all “in various stages of divorce” — invite 12 audience members identifying as, per Golden’s description, “divorced, separated, consciously uncoupled, teetering on the edge, divorce-curious, looking to date a divorced human,” onstage for an interview and speed-date pairing.

From Los Angeles Times

After Anolik’s 2014 Vanity Fair profile of Babitz, the writer enjoyed a revival, and her books came back in print, showcasing an original voice that consciously or not, is the antithesis of Didion’s coolly detached reportage.

From Los Angeles Times

They consciously deployed the nostalgic language of feudalism as a political smokescreen to obscure their moves to consolidate the cultural, political and economic power that would sustain their elevated social positions and the collective ascendancy of their race.

From Salon

It is essential to recognize that antebellum Black liberals consciously mainlined a tension between advocating for broader systemic social change and the practical necessity of remaining defiantly entrepreneurial in a hostile environment that resisted their inclusion into the upper ranks of society.

From Salon

Related Words

• knowingly
• pointedly
• purposely
• studiously
• voluntarily
• willfully