alert 1 of 3

alert

2 of 3

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

3 of 3

adjective

1
2
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

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
The alerts have been issued amid strong onshore winds, which are known to create hazardous surf and powerful rip currents. Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025 Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers said the shooting occurred after Remilien stopped a vehicle in connection to a license plate reader alert in the area of Versailles Road. Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
The school alerted law enforcement. Jeff Truesdell, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025 Then the mother alerted law enforcement. Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Although no immediate damage or injuries were reported, officials reminded residents in the remote region to remain alert for potential aftershocks. Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025 The two Zephyr goals would not have been enough if not for the alert play by Boberg less than five minutes later. Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 29 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for alert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alert
Noun
  • The blackout should come as little surprise to YouTube TV subscribers, who for the last week have seen announcements warning of a stalemate.
    Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The regulator is examining 142,600 units of the 2023-2024 Honda Pilot SUV for a possible malfunction in the rear seatbelt warning system, which may incorrectly alert drivers about passenger seatbelt usage.
    Nandan Mandayam, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This patience is watchfulness, not idleness.
    Francois Botha, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Chairwoman Robyn Denholm urged shareholders to support it, warning in a letter Monday that the company risks losing significant value if the deal fails and Musk opts to step down as chief executive.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Officials from the government and air traffic controllers’ union say that flying remains safe, but warn that the longer the shutdown drags on, the more stress these safety-critical employees will be under.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • But beneath the glamour and aesthetics, something deeper is keeping you awake past midnight.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
  • These parasomnias occur when the brain is partly awake and partly asleep.
    Brandon Peters, Verywell Health, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Several prominent business leaders have already voiced cautious optimism, seeing in Mamdani a chance to reset the relationship between City Hall and commerce.
    Sally Susman, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Taking the long view Many finance leaders remain cautious, viewing bitcoin as too volatile—especially recently—compared to traditional assets.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • For the first time, a machine was able to do what only intelligent humans had previously done.
    Big Think, Big Think, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Humans have a much larger neocortex than other animals, relative to body size, and the species with the largest neocortices—elephants, dolphins, gorillas, chimpanzees, dogs—are among the most intelligent.
    James Somers, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Green was quick to point out that every team that has won a championship featured a strong defense.
    Jordy Fee-Platt, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • If there is a potential for temperatures to fall into these thresholds, a freeze watch may be issued a few days ahead of time.
    KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Television cameras showed Schneider tapping at the watch on his wrist before throwing his arms up in apparent anger.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Alert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alert. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on alert

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!