subconsciously

American  

[suhb-kon-shuhs-lee] / sʌbˈkɒn ʃəs li /

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.

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Other Word Forms

• nonsubconsciously adverb

Etymology

Origin of subconsciously

subconscious ( def. ) + -ly

Compare meaning

How does subconsciously compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• subconsciously vs. unconsciously

Example Sentences

Or perhaps he was subconsciously looking for a way to blow up his own carefully constructed life.

From Slate • Apr. 15, 2026

But as soon as I’m back home, some primordial instinct has me almost subconsciously reaching for my iPhone with no purpose.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

By displaying a minimum payment amount on bills, it encourages many consumers to subconsciously identify that as the ideal payment amount, in effect anchoring what they pay to the suggested figure.

From BBC • Jan. 19, 2026

I think I subconsciously view my movement the same way.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2025

I have reflected since that the letter I finally sat down to compose had been subconsciously shaping itself in my mind.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey