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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
The alert aims to protect vulnerable populations, including those with heart and respiratory conditions, children, and older adults, and highlights the risk of smoke—making indoor environments unsafe for some residents. Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025 Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. Jim Cramer, CNBC, 28 July 2025
Verb
Its satellites have documented the melting of the polar ice caps and the destruction of forests, alerting humanity to the planet’s precarity. Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2025 Denver police have been alerted to the issue as well, Kuhn said. Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 28 July 2025
Adjective
Emergency responders are urging residents to stay alert as the storm continues to churn inland. Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025 Since then, the small town of roughly 3,000 has focused on rebuilding itself with a potential flood like that in mind, installing new safety measures and alert systems with financial help from the state. Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 16 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for alert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alert
Noun
  • The warning signaled the potential for extreme fire behavior driven by strong winds and low humidity and comes in the middle of the Pacific hurricane season, which has already seen an active start.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025
  • The warning is for beaches in Lake County, northern and central Cook counties in Illinois, and Lake and Porter counties in Indiana.
    Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • When more than a month’s worth of rain fell in 90 minutes just west of the United Center late Tuesday night, federal weather forecasters warned of possible flash flooding, triggering a chain of events that alerted some Chicago residents about potential danger.
    William Tong, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
  • Last month state immigration advocates warned that arrests of undocumented immigrants were ramping up in the state, creating anxiety and fear in communities with people taken every day.
    Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • By contrast, doing some movement in the back half of the day may delay your circadian rhythm a bit, which could benefit early birds who are looking to stay awake later into the night.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 30 July 2025
  • Without answers, the questions would keep them awake at night.
    Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 30 July 2025
Adjective
  • Some analysts, including those at Barclays, have also pointed out that there could be potential deceleration in the second half, keeping cautious ratings despite the company’s optimistic outlook.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Aston Martin Formula One driver Fernando Alonso has revealed a cautious approach in the wet-weather racing argument after the previous race at Spa-Francorchamps saw the FIA delay the race start by 80 minutes due to rain.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Operation Bounce House follows Oliver Lewis, a colonist on the planet New Sonora, who leads a simple life on his family ranch, playing with his band and tending to his family's selection of intelligent agriculture bots.
    Rachel Raposas, People.com, 14 July 2025
  • These earbuds feature intelligent noise control, which removes up to twice as much background noise as previous AirPods models.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Even just a quick five-minute vacuuming of high-traffic areas offers an instant refresh.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2025
  • Thank you for your bravery and quick actions in protecting the public!
    Tresa Baldas, Freep.com, 2 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Limited runs and special editions are, ironically, pretty common in the watch world, but add an extra layer of allure to any timepiece.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 Aug. 2025
  • The watch is for Southern Craven, West Carteret, East Carteret, Inland Onslow and Coastal Onslow as well as Duplin and Jones counties.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • This same accident-prone influence might apply to your pet, so be vigilant.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 13 July 2025
  • Maine State Police are warning the community to stay vigilant but have not divulged the cause of death or any details about the crime scene, leaving Stewart’s family with questions and nearby residents with fears that a killer may be among them.
    Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 12 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Alert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alert. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.

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