1
as in warning
the act or an instance of telling beforehand of danger or risk
the white flash of the doe's raised tail, giving the "danger" alert to her fawns
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in watchfulness
the state of being constantly attentive and responsive to signs of opportunity, activity, or danger
the doctor told the patient to be on the alert for any signs of infection
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to warn
to give notice to beforehand especially of danger or risk
alerted us to the possibility that the roads would be flooded and we might have to take a detour
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in awake
paying close attention usually for the purpose of anticipating approaching danger or opportunity
she needed to stay alert throughout the train ride so as not to miss her stop
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cautious
having or showing a close attentiveness to avoiding danger or trouble
warned us to be alert to the presence of pickpockets on the crowded bus
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in intelligent
having or showing quickness of mind
an alert and well-trained sheep dog who can handle difficult situations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in quick
having or showing the ability to respond without delay or hesitation
an alert force of commandos, ready to go on a mission at a moment's notice
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 alert
Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2025
Joelle Baird/Grand Canyon National Park What To Know In Colorado, an Ozone Action Day alert is in effect for the Front Range Urban Corridor until 4 p.m. on Thursday.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2025
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) was alerted and will do its own investigation, due to Williams being a former deputy, officials said.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 21 Aug. 2025
Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Being alert, aware of your surroundings, and free from distractions is, hands down, the best way to avoid a crash.
—Kyle Hyatt, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alert
Noun
The traffic alert was released Thursday at 4:31 p.m., and the latest update regarding this incident was made available on Thursday at 4:34 p.m.
—Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2025
Joelle Baird/Grand Canyon National Park What To Know In Colorado, an Ozone Action Day alert is in effect for the Front Range Urban Corridor until 4 p.m. on Thursday.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
At this time, no product that has tested positive or alerted for Cesium-137 has entered the U.S. food supply, the FDA said.
—Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2025
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) was alerted and will do its own investigation, due to Williams being a former deputy, officials said.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
—Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Being alert, aware of your surroundings, and free from distractions is, hands down, the best way to avoid a crash.
—Kyle Hyatt, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alert
Noun
-
This warning is in effect until 8 p.m. During heat waves, consider the following tips from the NWS Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
The warning is for Greene, Lenoir and Pitt counties.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Officials warned the road – known to flood even during seasonal high tides – could be impassable for days.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
21 Aug. 2025
-
The bill in early March drew a significant fiscal note, which warned the costs of the legislation were hard to determine but the state could lose more than $1 billion in federal funding over the measure.—
Vivian Jones,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
His whole family, including his 5-year-old child, were still awake, waiting to receive him.—
Scott Detrow,
NPR,
24 Aug. 2025
-
Irregular schedules, mentally stimulating activities or late-day naps can also all keep you awake when bedtime arrives.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Be cautious when corresponding with unfamiliar accounts.—
Tamia Fowlkes,
jsonline.com,
14 Aug. 2025
-
To be sure, companies are opting for cautious messaging around AI and its labor implications.—
Pia Singh,
CNBC,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Across a wide network, each unit can become intelligent by deploying state-of-the-art technologies and AI, but also by gaining easy access to insights from more successful locations.—
Andrei Danescu,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
-
The scaling hypothesis—the belief that bigger models will produce more intelligent outputs—seems to rest on the dubious belief that a system that has been fed enough information about the world will not have to deal with fuzziness.—
Meghan O’Gieblyn,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Isak himself stressed his happiness in the spring and featured in club kit promotions, hardly the actions of someone desperate for a quick exit.—
Harry De Cosemo,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Here's a quick look at Cox plan options in Phoenix, based on the ZIP code 85014: Cox Fast: Starts at $50 per month for download and upload speeds of 300/30 Mbps for 24 months.—
Kara McGinley,
USA Today,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
But these videos were few and far between—other people can be an obstacle to running your life with the precision of a ticking watch.—
Julie Beck,
The Atlantic,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Republican Governor Tate Reeves speaks with supporters during an election night watch party at the Refuge Hotel & Conference Center in Flowood, Mississippi, on November 7, 2023.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Child and pet safety: Be vigilant about never leaving young children and pets in vehicles without supervision, especially during periods of intense heat, as car interiors can quickly become extremely hot.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Stay informed, stay vigilant, and prioritize your well-being.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Alert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alert. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share