alertness

1 a close attentiveness to avoiding danger <drove through the fog with extra alertness, as the road signs repeatedly warned of deer and moose crossings> Synonyms caution, care, carefulness, cautiousness, chariness, circumspection, gingerliness, guardedness, heedfulness, prudence, warinessRelated Words attentiveness, observance, vigilance, watchfulness; foresight, foresightedness, providence; calculation, canniness, deliberateness, deliberation, shrewdnessNear Antonyms abruptness, hastiness, impetuousness, precipitousness, rashness, suddenness; inconsiderateness, inconsideration, thoughtlessnessAntonyms brashness, carelessness, heedlessness, incaution, incautiousness, recklessness, unwariness

2 the state of being constantly attentive and responsive to signs of opportunity, activity, or danger <we observed the U.S. border patrol's intensified alertness for drug smugglers at the border stations> Synonyms alert, vigilance, attentiveness, qui vive, red alert, watch, watchfulnessRelated Words aliveness, awareness, consciousness, mindfulness, receptiveness, receptivity, sensitivity; care, carefulness, cautiousness, chariness, heedfulness, wariness; preparation, readinessNear Antonyms absentmindedness, abstraction, daydreaming, daze, distraction; absorption, engrossment, obliviousness, preoccupation; unawareness, unconsciousness; carelessness, heedlessness, inattention, inattentiveness, inobservance; unwariness