Silver Alert

noun

US
: a widely publicized bulletin that alerts the public when an elderly person or a person with a cognitive disability goes missing
California joins an estimated 30 states with Silver Alert programs, acknowledging a growing issue for the nation as the population ages and the number of people suffering from some form of dementia increases.Tony Bizjak
compare amber alert

Examples of Silver Alert in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Police in Raytown issued a Silver Alert for a man who went missing Friday afternoon. Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 14 Apr. 2024 The bill essentially extends the Silver Alert to include children that aren't covered by the Amber Alert — though the category will have a new name. Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2024 An Arden Arcade woman was located and safe after the California Highway Patrol activated a Silver Alert on Saturday for her disappearance because the elderly woman was considered at risk due to mental health issues. Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 6 Apr. 2024 Denton police are looking for a missing couple in their 80s, and a Texas Silver Alert has been issued to help with the search Stephen Schiffer, 85, and Mildred Schiffer, 80, were last seen in the 2000 block of East University in Denton about 10 a.m. Tuesday, police said. James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2024 The Kansas Bureau of Investigation issued a statewide Silver Alert for a 91-year-old man last seen Saturday in Shawnee. Andrea Klick, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2024 They were told Rashawn was too old for an Amber Alert, which is used for child abductions, and too young for a Silver Alert, which Maryland State police regulations listed as for adults 60 and older with cognitive impairments. Theresa Vargas, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 In August of that year police issued a statewide Silver Alert for Steven, Deborah and Deborah’s boyfriend Caleb Blevins, 31. Kc Baker, Peoplemag, 27 Jan. 2024 Similar laws have already been passed for missing elderly people (Silver Alert) and missing Indigenous people (Feather Alert). Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Silver Alert.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

2004, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Silver Alert was in 2004

Dictionary Entries Near Silver Alert

Cite this Entry

“Silver Alert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Silver%20Alert. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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