sentience
noun
sen·tience
ˈsen(t)-sh(ē-)ən(t)s 
ˈsen-tē-ən(t)s
1
: a sentient quality or state
2
: feeling or sensation as distinguished from perception and thought
Examples of sentience in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For most people, the term evokes thoughts of science fiction movies in which computers or robots achieve a degree of sentience, reaching or even exceeding human intelligence (and frequently going rouge, à la 2001’s HAL or The Matrix’s Agent Smith).
—
Sean Hanlon, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
All in all, the crucial takeaway is to not associate today’s generative AI with sentience.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Wood played Dolores Abernathy, a long-serving host who gains sentience and leads a robot uprising.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 30 Jan. 2024
Please do not allow yourself to be taken in by the aura of sentience.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024
These robotic sculptures were equipped with state-of-the-art facial-recognition technology, enabling them to make intermittent and seemingly intentional eye contact with the viewer, an unsettling flirtation with sentience.
—Jessica Simmons-Reid, New York Times, 5 Dec. 2023
The availability of such ingredients here snaps her back to sentience.
—Mayukh Sen, The New Republic, 19 Oct. 2023
The work has restraint, wit and at its best, an unexpected emotional depth, even sentience.
—Roberta Smith, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2023
Some scientists say this is proof of sentience, the capacity to experience feelings and sensations.
—Emily Mullin, WIRED, 6 Oct. 2023
Sean Hanlon, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
All in all, the crucial takeaway is to not associate today’s generative AI with sentience.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Wood played Dolores Abernathy, a long-serving host who gains sentience and leads a robot uprising.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 30 Jan. 2024
Please do not allow yourself to be taken in by the aura of sentience.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024
These robotic sculptures were equipped with state-of-the-art facial-recognition technology, enabling them to make intermittent and seemingly intentional eye contact with the viewer, an unsettling flirtation with sentience.
—Jessica Simmons-Reid, New York Times, 5 Dec. 2023
The availability of such ingredients here snaps her back to sentience.
—Mayukh Sen, The New Republic, 19 Oct. 2023
The work has restraint, wit and at its best, an unexpected emotional depth, even sentience.
—Roberta Smith, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2023
Some scientists say this is proof of sentience, the capacity to experience feelings and sensations.
—Emily Mullin, WIRED, 6 Oct. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sentience.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near sentience
Cite this Entry
“Sentience.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sentience. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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