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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2
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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 American Immigration Lawyers Assn. issued a practice alert this month warning about the termination notices. Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025 Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. Matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
By alerting victims to a suspicious outgoing payment, which is purported to be a bank fraud security alert, the user is prompted to call a support telephone number as a matter of some urgency. Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025 And conversations with priests from other parishes have alerted him to concern about it becoming known as a space that is primarily for immigrants. Erika Page, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Traditional data pipeline management burdens IT professionals with reactive tasks and showers them with alert storms that interfere with their work. Serge Lucio, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025 The National Park Service recommends keeping the following things in mind when exploring the backcountry: Be alert and aware of your surroundings and pay attention to signs. Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA Today, 15 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for alert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alert
Noun
  • Sunday’s gale warning is in effect until Sunday evening, according to the National Weather Service.
    Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2025
  • The Braves scored three more runs in the eighth for a 7-6 lead, on an Ozzie Albies RBI single and Michael Harris II’s two-run double to the center-field warning track.
    David O'Brien, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The International Monetary Fund warned on Tuesday that the global economy could be hit hard as President Trump's sweeping tariffs threaten to spark an all-out trade war.
    Rafael Nam, NPR, 22 Apr. 2025
  • When autoworkers were organizing at Volkswagen and Mercedes plants in Tennessee and Alabama in June 2024, the White House warned Germany that German companies should not interfere with unionization votes in the United States.
    Jennifer M. Harris, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The light from screens can trick your brain into staying awake.
    Lindsay Curtis, Health, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Bellflower adds a second adult in school counselor Bailey Gallagher (Molly Griggs), a character the audience can enjoy seeing slowly awake to the villain hiding in their midst.
    Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • While public support for cannabis legalization has grown, recent events indicate a more cautious approach.
    Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 28 Apr. 2025
  • So for a couple of reasons, the Red Sox are playing it cautious with Anthony, even with the latest foot injury, undoubtedly to the frustration of most of their fan base.
    Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Talos, Pandora and other artificially intelligent entities had already set the stage for humans to explore this idea.
    Sofia Giannuzzi, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Yes, Love Hotel might be Bravo’s most emotionally intelligent experiment yet.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Ivanka posted a video and pictures to her social media platforms on Monday following the celebration, during which Theo and Barkley had a quick game of catch while running around the area.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Instead, Gagliardi recommends running a quick wash cycle and adding a product like Clorox® Laundry Sanitizer, which can squash the odor-causing bacteria lurking in your damp laundry.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • That’s how Tommy bids farewell to his brother before (presumably) removing the broken watch from Joel's wrist to leave for Ellie.
    EW.com, EW.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • The commemorative coins, which include gold and silver busts of Trump, emerged during the 2024 presidential campaign as one of several merchandising ventures Trump profited from -- a list that also included watches, sneakers, bibles and guitars.
    Lucien Bruggeman, ABC News, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The world must remain vigilant to ensure this powerful new tool isn't silenced.
    Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Tonight: Be diplomatic. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) ★★★★ Parents should be vigilant today, because this is an accident-prone day for your kids.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Alert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alert. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

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