subconsciously

[ suhb-kon-shuhs-lee ]

adverb

1. beneath or beyond the conscious mind:

   Your brain subconsciously processes a lot of the day’s information while you sleep.

2. without conscious understanding or desire:

   I grew up subconsciously internalizing the stereotypes I saw in movies, TV shows, and advertisements.

   I heard footsteps approaching behind me, and my pace quickened subconsciously.

Other Words From

• non·sub·con·scious·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of subconsciously¹

subconscious ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

“It’s hard to beat somebody twice because kids subconsciously are saying in the back of their mind, ‘We’re better,’ where the others are saying, ‘We have something to prove.’

From Los Angeles Times

But also people — all of us, women included — subconsciously judge women more harshly than men.

From Salon

But he says the issue “subconsciously” crept into the art.

From BBC

A halo effect occurs, and you then subconsciously believe that everything about the product – including its reviews – is better.

From Salon

Instead of transferring his weight toward the plate and driving down the mound with conviction, he subconsciously held back on throws to protect his surgically repaired elbow.

From Los Angeles Times