1
as in carefulness
a close attentiveness to avoiding danger
drove through the fog with extra alertness, as the road signs repeatedly warned of deer and moose crossings
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in watchfulness
the state of being constantly attentive and responsive to signs of opportunity, activity, or danger
we observed the U.S. border patrol's intensified alertness for drug smugglers at the border stations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of alertness
The body adapts to the daily dose, blunting caffeine’s impact on blood pressure, mental alertness and exercise performance.
—
Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2026
High-energy visible light plays a role in alertness, memory, cognitive function and mood regulation, and it is even used as a treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder, according to the Raleigh Eye Center.
—Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026
Depending on your tolerance, this could be too much—or just the right amount—to help increase alertness.
—Allison Forsyth, Health, 12 June 2026
Adrenaline and noradrenaline, hormones which increase alertness and reaction speed, are also released, but there is a fine balance between readiness and unreadiness.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 3 June 2026
Promotes alertness through the same pathway as outdoor light.
—Allison Palmer
june 2, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026
This increases alertness, boosts available energy and temporarily downshifts nonessential functions like digestion.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 30 May 2026
Ten minutes outside around lunchtime makes a measurable difference in afternoon alertness.
—Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 19 May 2026
Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2026
High-energy visible light plays a role in alertness, memory, cognitive function and mood regulation, and it is even used as a treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder, according to the Raleigh Eye Center.
—Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026
Depending on your tolerance, this could be too much—or just the right amount—to help increase alertness.
—Allison Forsyth, Health, 12 June 2026
Adrenaline and noradrenaline, hormones which increase alertness and reaction speed, are also released, but there is a fine balance between readiness and unreadiness.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 3 June 2026
Promotes alertness through the same pathway as outdoor light.
—Allison Palmer
june 2, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026
This increases alertness, boosts available energy and temporarily downshifts nonessential functions like digestion.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 30 May 2026
Ten minutes outside around lunchtime makes a measurable difference in afternoon alertness.
—Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 19 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alertness
Noun
-
There was no carefulness in it.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
Organizations can benefit by valuing carefulness and concentration not as an obligation, but as a fundamental pillar of success.—
Heather V. MacArthur,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Hong Kong icon Tony Leung has channeled brooding urban energy for the masterpieces of Wong Kar-Wai, balancing the debonair ennui of Marcello Mastroianni with the quiet watchfulness of Montgomery Clift.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
8 May 2026
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In nine short, potent chapters, Beckerman lays out the essential traits of an effective dissident — loyalty, recklessness and watchfulness, among them — to illustrate how communities of resistance are built from the ground up.—
Marc Weingarten,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Continue reading … DANGER BELOW — Flesh-eating bacteria detected near luxury vacation homes as experts urge caution.—
,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2026
-
One public commenter, Vivian Dunbar, urged caution before the vote.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
District, police urge vigilance Police urged anyone with concerns about interactions with Neu to contact the Wylie Police Department.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
-
Kilian and other Tahoe-area officials said inspectors like at Meyers are an important line of defense, but said vigilance begins aboard the watercraft by ensuring that boat and gear are clean, drained and dry before moving from one body of water to another.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
The In-Home Supportive Services program helps disabled and elderly people remain in their houses by providing in-home care.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
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So the team studied medical practice laws in other states, actions by their medical boards involving alternative medicine and board orders for substandard care.—
Carrie Teegardin,
AJC.com,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Intense downpours, hail and thunderstorms continued Thursday, with the weather service issuing tornado watches or warnings for parts of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
-
That angered the Knicks, who decided not to go forward with plans to hold an outdoor watch party outside the arena.—
Tim Reynolds,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
This raised interest rates to punishing levels just as fiscal prudence was being tossed aside.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
31 May 2026
-
Strength and prudence are not the same thing.—
S.E. Cupp,
New York Daily News,
27 May 2026
Noun
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Topics range from managing a property to applying fire science, addressing topography concerns and using evacuation readiness tools such as phone alerts, Dioli said.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 June 2026
-
Conserving battery life during an outage, so devices remain available for emergency alerts and updates.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alertness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alertness. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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