as in simple
functioning outside the area of conscious awareness but acting to influence one's thoughts or feelings
A subliminal image was embedded in the advertisement. The subliminal sounds supposedly aid in getting to sleep, but I am skeptical.
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Recent Examples of subliminal
The subliminal message between the two cover shots didn’t go unnoticed.
—
Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
As bassist Ian Hill points out, since the alleged (and in fact non-existent) messages were subliminal, they were being asked to prove that something which couldn’t be detected wasn’t there.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 20 Feb. 2026
The creature’s journey from animal to man is more subtle than a straightforward erasure of the animal sounds, as Robitaille wanted the shift to feel natural and subliminal.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 20 Feb. 2026
The only other major drama the documentary spends any length of time with is the notorious 1990 trial in which the band was accused of putting subliminal messages in a song after the double suicide of two young men.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subliminal
Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
As bassist Ian Hill points out, since the alleged (and in fact non-existent) messages were subliminal, they were being asked to prove that something which couldn’t be detected wasn’t there.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 20 Feb. 2026
The creature’s journey from animal to man is more subtle than a straightforward erasure of the animal sounds, as Robitaille wanted the shift to feel natural and subliminal.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 20 Feb. 2026
The only other major drama the documentary spends any length of time with is the notorious 1990 trial in which the band was accused of putting subliminal messages in a song after the double suicide of two young men.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subliminal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subliminal
Adjective
-
July 23 – August 22 Clarity today comes from keeping your message simple and grounded.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Brown said Atlanta was taking away the Knicks’ spray game, which made the answer simpler.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Scaling nanotechnology through biological principles The basic premise of this research is in molecular machines, which are mechanical components consisting of only a few dozen atoms.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Apr. 2026
-
This would be achieved by making the flying experience less like an airplane and more like an automobile, including replacing mechanical control linkages with fly-by-wire systems, even removing the traditional rudder pedals.—
David Szondy
April 25,
New Atlas,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Before investing millions more yen in robotic experiments, the next policy response might be to meaningfully lift wages as part of a broader effort to restore dignity and status to the work itself.—
Catherine Thorbecke,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
-
To test the material, the researchers developed an electronic skin and attached it to a robotic hand.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
By evening, disruptive Uranus enters your 12th House of Secrets and Solitude, stirring dreams, memories, and subconscious patterns.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
But sometimes there are things that enter from the subconscious.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Potholes may go unfilled, Davis said, and drivers may have to make unplanned trips to the mechanic shop to fix their tires as a result.—
Kathryn Watson,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
And soon after another brother and mechanic William Davidson joined the team.—
Ricardo Torres,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Known as the godfather of public relations, Bernays explained how the unconscious element of people in democratic societies could be manipulated.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Nearly two decades after Ratliff died, Peterson found his wife, Kathleen, unconscious at the bottom of the stairs.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That reflex delays care and erodes trust.—
Liz Koch,
STAT,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The ten seconds that led to the Braylon Mullins’ miracle shot were a series of reflex plays, reactions, the ultimate in instincts taking over, living in the split second, rather than in the moment.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This lightweight and comfortable money belt is easy to wear and offers security via RFID-blocking technology and hidden compartments.—
Aly Walansky,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Apr. 2026
-
But through a series of chillingly understated, devastating revelations, Repetition becomes, above all, a story about the sweeping yet hidden disenfranchisement of children.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subliminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subliminal. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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