ALERTNESS Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

alertness

noun

Definition of alertness

as in carefulness

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 & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in watchfulness

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 & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of alertness The alertness of adults (parents and lawmakers) as well as more mature teens to private sector accountability helps. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 31 Aug. 2026 To achieve this, the locus coeruleus continuously alternates between tonic activity—governing baseline arousal and alertness—and brief phasic bursts that focus attention on critical events. — Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 During the campaign, candidates are in a state of constant alertness. — Max Taves, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026 As evening arrives, the body releases melatonin to signal rest while cortisol, the alertness hormone, drops. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2026 The lack of sleep and lack of rest wears down firefighters physically and mentally; the mental alertness, the mental sharpness is not always there, and also the burnout. — Rashad Williams, CBS News, 31 July 2026 This meant moving outside of the traditional tableau of White House photojournalism—an orator on a pedestal—to show members of the press in postures of alertness or repose. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 24 July 2026 The goal is to anchor the body’s rhythms, sharpen daytime alertness and improve sleep timing. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 21 July 2026 Also, never swim after drinking alcohol or using marijuana or other substances that can impact alertness. — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for alertness

Noun

This carefulness is clearly strategic.

— Gary Sernovitz, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
There was no carefulness in it.

— Zack Meisel, New York Times, 1 May 2026

Definition of carefulness

Noun

Tyson Foods said consumer caution around discretionary spending has created a more challenging food service demand environment.

— Dylan Sherman, Arkansas Online, 3 Sep. 2026
Travelers are advised to stay aware of their surroundings, avoid displaying signs of wealth and use caution at night, particularly at beaches, bars, transportation centers and on public transit.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of caution

Noun

Too many Black women leave childbirth feeling unheard, and many doulas walk into labor rooms believing that vigilance is what keeps their patients safe.

— Debra Eluobaju, STAT, 3 Sep. 2026
Such vigilance and concerted action spurred self-regulation in movies and television decades ago.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of vigilance

Noun

The background of the film is the budget slashes that are happening in this sector all over the Western world, as the government withdraws its own form of care.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
As the trend scales, expect a wave of clinician response videos and possibly product warnings from foot-care brands.

— Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of care

Noun

The watch is for Alamance, Chatham, Davidson, Durham, Edgecombe, Forsyth, Franklin, Granville, Guilford, Halifax, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Nash, Orange, Person, Randolph, Stanly, Vance, Wake, Warren, Wayne and Wilson counties.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2026
Participants — a group of 58 people (31 women, 27 men) ranging in age from 18 to 50 — wore all four watches and the COSMED metabolic analyzer simultaneously while exercising on a stationary bike at an FIU lab.

— Michelle Marchante September 4, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of watch

Noun

Short-term rates went to 5% and change, Treasury bills paid more than investment grade corporates, and savers who had spent fifteen years being punished for prudence suddenly got paid handsomely for doing nothing.

— Jason Kirsch, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
In those conditions, United’s prudence makes financial sense.

— Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of prudence

Noun

The kindergarten his daughter attends must move the children to a shelter whenever an air-raid alert sounds.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
Yosemite records few rabid bats, with the last case in 2025, but other national parks have issued rabies alerts within days or weeks, raising fresh questions about Yosemite’s public-health communication.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of alert

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alerting

alertness

alerts

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“Alertness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alertness. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of alertness

noun

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