1
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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Recent Examples of alertness
Key Takeaways Both cold showers and plunges offer health benefits, such as improving mood and alertness.
—
T'keyah Bazin, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2025
To measure my alertness, she’s decided to give me an hourly Psychomotor Vigilance Test, along with some word-fluency exercises and EEG brain scans.
—Rowan Jacobsen, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Allergy sufferers might not realize, however, that these symptoms reduce alertness and cognitive functioning – some of the factors that can worsen mental health and increase vulnerability to suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
—Shooshan Danagoulian, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2025
Known to power all-around mental clarity, alertness, and focus, this powder is an ideal pick-me-up for a post-lunch afternoon work slump or mid-morning meeting.
—Brianna Peters, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025
Keeping your hands free while solo and on the move enhances alertness by minimizing distractions and improves reaction time for unexpected situations.
—Kristy Alpert, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2025
Pre- and post-mission evaluations will be compared to in-flight data to better understand how the deep space mission influences the crew's alertness, stress and ability to work together cohesively.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Morning sunlight signals the brain to wake fully, thus elevating alertness and setting the body’s internal clock.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Caffeine is a stimulant that boosts alertness, energy and brain activity.
—Dr. Mark Corkins, Boston Herald, 14 Sep. 2025
T'keyah Bazin, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2025
To measure my alertness, she’s decided to give me an hourly Psychomotor Vigilance Test, along with some word-fluency exercises and EEG brain scans.
—Rowan Jacobsen, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Allergy sufferers might not realize, however, that these symptoms reduce alertness and cognitive functioning – some of the factors that can worsen mental health and increase vulnerability to suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
—Shooshan Danagoulian, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2025
Known to power all-around mental clarity, alertness, and focus, this powder is an ideal pick-me-up for a post-lunch afternoon work slump or mid-morning meeting.
—Brianna Peters, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025
Keeping your hands free while solo and on the move enhances alertness by minimizing distractions and improves reaction time for unexpected situations.
—Kristy Alpert, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2025
Pre- and post-mission evaluations will be compared to in-flight data to better understand how the deep space mission influences the crew's alertness, stress and ability to work together cohesively.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Morning sunlight signals the brain to wake fully, thus elevating alertness and setting the body’s internal clock.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Caffeine is a stimulant that boosts alertness, energy and brain activity.
—Dr. Mark Corkins, Boston Herald, 14 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alertness
Noun
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Just as essential a consideration as carefulness for committee members, though, is speed.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
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This patience is watchfulness, not idleness.—
Francois Botha,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Objects that are outdoors should be secured and caution should be taken if driving.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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This week, Megan Moroney offers up valuable wisdom enveloped in a lilting ballad, while Maddie Lenhart sings of longing for a carefree night of throwing romantic caution to the wind.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The embassy also warned that Americans should avoid public demonstrations and driving through roadblocks, exercise vigilance and caution, and keep a low profile, among other measures.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
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But the United States can mitigate the risk by consistently encouraging vigilance about China’s threat to Taiwan.—
STEPHEN WERTHEIM,
Foreign Affairs,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Custody and placement arrangements were verified in family court records, and survey respondents also tracked the time their children spent in their care.—
Ashley Luthern,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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Beki San Martin is a fellow at the Detroit Free Press who covers child care, early childhood education and other issues that affect the lives of children ages 5 and under and their families in metro Detroit and across Michigan.—
Beki San Martin,
Freep.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In this episode, Marshall sets back his watch anyway.—
Jenny Porter Tilley,
IndyStar,
27 Oct. 2025
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The handsy thief also helped himself to the watch on my wrist.—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Additionally, a boom-and-bust cycle in the early 2000s informs some of the company’s prudence on expansion.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
19 Sep. 2025
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Meanwhile, Taiwan’s military should exercise prudence in its rules of engagement and not assume that every close call is intentional.—
JOEL WUTHNOW,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Air raid alerts were in place in Kyiv and surrounding districts for around an hour and a half before the air force called them off shortly after midnight on Sunday.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
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The online system allows text or email alerts to be set up whenever a new message arrives.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Alertness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alertness. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.
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