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.
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Recent Examples of alert
David Brennan, ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
In the version nurses want, the alert is an invitation to look closer, not an untrustworthy digital manager.
—Hilke Schellmann, Scientific American, 17 Feb. 2026
Brittany Kubicko, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026
Body camera footage released along with Naugle’s report showed officers outside those doors with guns drawn, and someone is heard alerting the other officers that a man inside was pointing a handgun at the doors.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 20 Feb. 2026
Claudia Núñez, AZCentral.com, 22 Feb. 2026
This diabetic-alert dog who saved his owner's life after sensing a blood sugar drop from outside a school building.
—Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alert
Noun
Poland's Armed Forces Operational Command said NATO aircraft were scrambled and air defenses put on alert as a response to the Russian strikes.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
In the version nurses want, the alert is an invitation to look closer, not an untrustworthy digital manager.
—Hilke Schellmann, Scientific American, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
Police were alerted to the scheme in December, according to an affidavit of probable cause.
—Brittany Kubicko, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026
Body camera footage released along with Naugle’s report showed officers outside those doors with guns drawn, and someone is heard alerting the other officers that a man inside was pointing a handgun at the doors.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Remain alert and aware of the surroundings at all times.
—Claudia Núñez, AZCentral.com, 22 Feb. 2026
This diabetic-alert dog who saved his owner's life after sensing a blood sugar drop from outside a school building.
—Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alert
Noun
-
Local officials echoed state of emergency declarations and issued travel bans while the tens of millions of people under blizzard warnings hunkered down.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The State Department later, relaxed its warning for certain areas.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
A lot of this involves watchfulness—noticing what the preferring mind (that is, the editing mind) as put in place, and accepting it, and building upon it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
-
This patience is watchfulness, not idleness.—
Francois Botha,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Against this background, European diplomats, as well as some US lawmakers, warned Zelensky that a trip to Washington was unwise.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The San Joaquin Valley also received a freeze warning Thursday.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado,
Sacbee.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Since this process uses local anaesthesia, patients will remain awake but comfortable, maintaining their ability to talk to the team or simply rest.—
Ethan Stone,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Living rooms spend their days catching strong daylight, so mid-weight panels in softer tones tend to do well there, taming glare while keeping the space bright enough to feel awake and social.—
Maria Williams,
Ascend Agency,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Be cautious of ice accumulating on power lines or tree branches, which can lead to snapping and falling hazards.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Most of North and Central Texas shouldbe cautious with burning on Thursday, but the wildfire threat is less severe.—
Julia James,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Black bears are one of Carr's favorite animals, as their playful antics and uncanny idiosyncrasies reveal an intelligent soul behind beady eyes.—
Shi En Kim,
AZCentral.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Heldman and Nicholson’s lucid, intelligent script thus assigns characters very different, more nuanced motivations from those we are used to in iterations of this story.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
First, in-house manufacturing meant that its product development process took around 18 months, while competitors using third-party manufacturers could move at a much quicker pace.—
Kathryn Hopkins,
Footwear News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
In fact, one of the couples who were engaged had their pod love story mostly shown as a quick montage of conversations before they got engaged.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Seventy-six signings have been made on Parkinson’s watch.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Fresno has been issued a freeze watch.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado,
Sacbee.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alert. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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