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
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
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
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
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
Cite this Entry
“Alert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alert. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share