alert 1 of 3

alert

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verb

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

alert

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adjective

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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

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective alert contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of alert are vigilant, watchful, and wide-awake. While all these words mean "being on the lookout especially for danger or opportunity," alert stresses readiness or promptness in meeting danger or in seizing opportunity.

alert traders anticipated the stock market's slide

When can vigilant be used instead of alert?

The synonyms vigilant and alert are sometimes interchangeable, but vigilant suggests intense, unremitting, wary watchfulness.

eternally vigilant in the safeguarding of democracy

When might watchful be a better fit than alert?

In some situations, the words watchful and alert are roughly equivalent. However, watchful is the least explicit term.

the watchful eye of the department supervisor

When could wide-awake be used to replace alert?

The words wide-awake and alert can be used in similar contexts, but wide-awake applies to watchfulness for opportunities and developments more often than dangers.

wide-awake companies latched onto the new technology

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
Noun
One entrepreneur pitched the idea of a small-business liaison or task force that could answer questions and alert business owners to resources, grants and other opportunities. Mars King, Twin Cities, 17 Oct. 2025 The disclosures from the regional banks followed the high-profile bankruptcies of auto-parts supplier First Brands and auto lender Tricolor, which had already put investors on high alert about potential risks in the financial sector. Jason Ma, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
Meanwhile, Owens’ children had alerted her to what had happened. Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025 Cavazos says this work — chasing leads or even, at times, following ICE agents — to alert the community can be hard, especially now that the Department of Homeland Security regularly accuses groups like Cavazos' of interfering with their jobs and endangering the lives of immigration officers. Marisa Peñaloza, NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Residents and travelers should remain alert for updates on shifting weather conditions. Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025 But the quick succession of bad loans, and the poor stock market reaction, shows that investors are now alert to greater risk. Sarah Min, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for alert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alert
Noun
  • Sourcing & Methodology This article was generated by software that analyzes National Weather Service warnings and advisories and creates an article based on templates created by humans.
    Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Here there’s no warning, no provocation.
    Geraldo Cadava, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This patience is watchfulness, not idleness.
    Francois Botha, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Economists warn the incoming administration faces immediate challenges, including securing fuel supplies and building coalitions in a fragmented legislature.
    Reuters 3 min ago, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Feeling superior to these women, Alina warned me, was a fool’s comfort.
    Julia Ioffe, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Her mother was awake, dancing, the martini glass and cigarette gone.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Compounding her grief is the fact that, as Amelia revealed in tonight’s episode, after two surgeries, Dylan remains locked in awake in her body, can’t blink and is looking at spending her life in a longterm care facility.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Many chief financial officers are investing in AI while still taking a measured approach—one that may seem overly cautious from the perspective of chief information and technology officers.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Snow showers throughout the week; travelers advised to remain cautious due to potential slick conditions.
    Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Mark Simon is the VP of Strategy at Celigo, a leading intelligent automation platform, where he's helped thousands of ecommerce customers including major consumer brands in their digital integration and automation journeys.
    Mark Simon, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
  • These intelligent dogs are highly active and energetic, but respond well to obedience training.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • His positioning and reading of the game remain sharp, his footwork is clean, and his reactions are quick.
    Beren Cross, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Wetkiss Knee-High Boots Lorelai's shoe collection is as memorable as her quick wit, and nothing says cool-weather quite like a pair of boots.
    Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Or for the wide swaths of empty seats in the upper deck that formed after the New York Giants put the game in a vice grip with a three-score lead late in the third quarter and put the Broncos on shutout watch.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
  • This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
    Data Skrive, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Alert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alert. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

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