Omniscience
What it means
The state of knowing everything that can be known.
Reach for it when naming complete knowledge, especially as a divine or narrative attribute
The novel treats omniscience as responsibility for every known consequence.
Words to choose between 5
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal |
|
| literary |
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everyday
all-knowingness
Fits when a transparent gloss is more useful than the technical term
Careful The coined noun is awkward in polished prose.
-
warm
infinite wisdom
Fits when boundless good judgment is the devotional focus
Careful Wisdom and knowledge are different qualities.
-
professional
perfect awareness
Fits when nothing relevant escapes awareness
Careful Awareness can lack propositional knowledge.
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formal
total knowledge
Fits when complete scope is being asserted directly
Careful Total needs a defined universe outside theology.
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literary
panomniscience
Fits when a specialized philosophical variant is intended
Careful The rarer term will require explanation.
Opposites 3
- ignorance
- uncertainty
- nescience
Common phrases 3
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divine omniscience
The seminar examined divine omniscience alongside human freedom.
-
claim to omniscience
The editor rejected any claim to omniscience about readers.
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narrative omniscience
Narrative omniscience lets the novel enter every character's thoughts.
Usage notes
Keep in mind
Omniscience belongs chiefly to theology, philosophy, and narrative technique; applying it to real people is hyperbole.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated