1
as in word
a word or phrase that must be spoken by a person in order to pass a guard
the watchword is changed every day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in slogan
an attention-getting word or phrase used to publicize something (as a campaign or product)
their latest watchword turns up in every ad from that company
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of watchword
Responding to the precariousness of our moment, museums have reified the problem with an unfortunate watchword: relevance.
—
Eric Crosby, Artforum, 1 May 2025
Despite four wins in Madrid, frustration appears to be a watchword for Świątek right now.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Clearly, 3) temperamental caution remains the watchword.
—Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 22 Apr. 2025
Disobedience was, in certain respects, the watchword of all his work.
—Nikil Saval, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for watchword
Eric Crosby, Artforum, 1 May 2025
Despite four wins in Madrid, frustration appears to be a watchword for Świątek right now.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Clearly, 3) temperamental caution remains the watchword.
—Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 22 Apr. 2025
Disobedience was, in certain respects, the watchword of all his work.
—Nikil Saval, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for watchword
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watchword
Noun
-
Iniki is the Hawaiian word for sharp and piercing wind.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Colleagues described a popular chaplain with nicknames for the tiny patients and soothing words for their bleary-eyed parents.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Elias Rodriguez, who chanted pro-Palestine slogans as he was arrested, was charged with their murder and has entered a not guilty plea.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Police quickly contained the situation as around 150 mostly young demonstrators chanted anti-police slogans in a largely calm atmosphere.—
Saskya Vandoorne,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
At Trinity, an LGBTQ banner hangs in the front window.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
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Karyn and Kevin Yarris are producing under their Wildwood Entertainment banner, with Farrah West handling casting.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Watchword.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watchword. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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